plate no. 6359

Sunset on the Volga

Aristarkh Lentulov, 1928

oilRealismlandscapelandscapesunsetriverbuildingstreesvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using brushstrokes to suggest texture and form rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the river, and the placement of the village.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of yellow, orange, and blue, blending them softly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains and the river with muted tones of green and blue.
step 04
Define the shapes of the trees and buildings using darker greens, browns, and reds.
step 05
Add highlights to the buildings and trees to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the foreground.
step 07
Refine the details of the church and other prominent buildings.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · titanium white · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Muted tones are achieved by adding small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., adding a touch of red to green). Use white sparingly to lighten colors, focusing on building up layers.

techniques