plate no. 4567

The Last Snow (Kiev-Pechersk Lavra)

Yuriy Khymych, 1975

gouachePost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingschurchessnowskyriver

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive artwork. It also encourages experimentation with bold brushstrokes and color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, river, and sky.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and river.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the forms of the buildings and landscape.
step 04
Introduce secondary colors to create depth and interest.
step 05
Refine the details of the buildings, such as the spires and windows.
step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 07
Use bold brushstrokes to emphasize the texture of the snow and buildings.
step 08
Step back and adjust the composition as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · purple

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · green

Mix blues and whites for the sky and river. Use purple as a base for the buildings, adding browns and greens for variation. Mix yellow ochre and white for the golden domes.

techniques