plate no. 4494

Tiberias

George Washington Lambert, 1919

oilSymbolismcityscapecityscapebuildingshillswaterskymosque

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It also provides practice in depicting architectural forms with simplified brushstrokes.

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 landscape, buildings, and hills, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with thin washes of color, establishing the overall atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the distant hills.
step 04
Begin blocking in the larger shapes of the buildings with a mix of neutral tones, varying the colors slightly to create interest.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the foreground with a mix of warm and cool browns, adding texture and detail to the vegetation and ground.
step 07
Refine the details and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the sky and water. Use white to lighten the values and create atmospheric perspective. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the earth tones.

techniques

·dry brush
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonizing with the overall palette.
→Not paying attention to the light and shadow, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.