plate no. 4665

The Baku oil fields

Konstantin Bogaevsky, 1935

oilSymbolismcityscapeoil derricksbuildingswaterskyindustrial landscapereflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose watercolor washes and capturing reflections in water. It also provides experience in depicting complex industrial structures with simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, large masses of buildings and oil derricks, and the waterline.
step 02
Establish the sky with a diluted wash of light gray or beige.
step 03
Apply a light wash of ochre and burnt sienna to the land area, varying the tones to create depth.
step 04
Paint the reflections in the water using the same colors as the land and structures, but in a more diluted and blurred manner. Use downward strokes.
step 05
Add darker tones to the buildings and oil derricks to define their forms and create shadows.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the structures, such as lines and cross-hatching.
step 07
Soften edges where needed with a clean, damp brush.
step 08
Add final touches to the reflections, ensuring they align with the objects above.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · payne's gray

secondary · raw umber · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the warm earth tones. Use Payne's gray diluted for the sky and water. Add a touch of ultramarine to Payne's gray for cooler shadows.

techniques