plate no. 0456

The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1905

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstowertreesbirdssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, tower, and landscape, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light green-blue, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the buildings and landscape using muted earth tones.
step 04
Layer lighter tones on the buildings to create highlights and suggest the texture of the stone.
step 05
Add the dark cypress trees, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 06
Paint the details of the tower, including windows and architectural elements.
step 07
Add the birds in the foreground, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · light green-blue · beige · light grey · dark brown

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · white · black

Mix the sky color by combining light green-blue with white for highlights and a touch of blue for shadows. Achieve the building colors by mixing beige, light grey, and burnt sienna, adjusting the proportions for variations in tone.

techniques