plate no. 4673
View to Michael's Castle in Petersburg from Lebiazhy Canal
Alexey Bogolyubov, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the canal and the placement of the building.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main shapes of the trees and the building.
- step 03
Block in the sky with light pink and grey tones, blending softly.
- step 04
Apply the base colors for the water, reflecting the sky and surrounding elements.
- step 05
Paint the building with light ochre and white, adding details like windows and the spire.
- step 06
Develop the trees with layers of greens, browns, and oranges, using short brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add the figures in the boats and along the canal, paying attention to their scale.
- step 08
Refine the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and slightly darker values.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium orange · viridian green · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the sky's pinkish hues by mixing titanium white with alizarin crimson. Create realistic reflections by using slightly desaturated and darker versions of the colors above the water.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·rendering reflections
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overly detailed rendering of the building
- →Inaccurate perspective of the canal
- →Muddy water reflections
- →Lack of variation in tree foliage
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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