plate no. 3244

Temple of Heaven, Beijing (Tendan)

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetemplearchitecturebuildingcolumnsskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail. It's also good for learning how to simplify complex architectural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the temple, columns, and surrounding area with a pencil.
step 02
Block in the main colors for the sky, ground, and temple using thin washes.
step 03
Start adding darker values to define the shapes of the temple roof and columns.
step 04
Use short, visible brushstrokes to build up the color and texture of the temple and surrounding details.
step 05
Add highlights to the columns and roof to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the architectural elements, focusing on capturing the overall form rather than precise accuracy.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Consider adding a signature or small detail in the corner.

color palette

primary · red · green · blue · white

secondary · yellow · orange · brown

Mix various shades of red by adding white or brown to the base red. Achieve greens by mixing blue and yellow. Lighten blues with white for the sky and architectural details.

techniques