plate no. 3873

The Gate of Lama Temple, Peking

Samuel Mutzner, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapearchitecturegatebuildingfigureshorsecarriagecityscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers a great opportunity to practice broken color techniques and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. Recreating this piece will help develop skills in simplifying complex architectural forms and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the gate, buildings, figures, and carriage, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and ground, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the gate and buildings, focusing on the color variations and textures.
step 04
Paint the figures and carriage, paying attention to the light and shadow on their forms.
step 05
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna · purple

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, uninteresting composition.
→Failing to capture the light and shadow on the forms.