plate no. 5790

View of Moscow

oil, canvasRomanticismcityscapecityscaperiverbuildingsskyarchitecturefigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural details with simplified forms. It also encourages practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major landmarks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow ochre and white, blending to create a soft gradient.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the buildings with light brown and grey tones, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Paint the river with a mix of blues, greys, and browns, reflecting the colors of the sky and buildings.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, roofs, and architectural features, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Create the foreground with darker browns and greens, adding small figures and details to suggest activity.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting the tones to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Prussian blue · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · payne's grey · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the atmospheric haze by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and blue. Use varying proportions of these colors to create subtle tonal shifts in the sky and distant buildings.

techniques