plate no. 0883

Walking woman

Yuriy Khymych, 1962

gouachePost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigureskycityscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color temperature to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow with bold 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 and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, buildings, and street using diluted gouache or acrylic.
step 03
Add the darker values to define shadows and create form, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Introduce the mid-tones to transition between light and shadow, blending slightly to soften edges.
step 05
Paint the details of the buildings, such as windows and roof tiles, using thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the figure in the street, using a contrasting color to make it stand out.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · cerulean blue

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sunlit areas of the buildings and street. Combine ultramarine blue and white for the sky and shadows. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the roofs and figure.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·dry brush
·scumbling
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive style.
→Not simplifying the shapes enough and getting bogged down in complexity.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through color and value.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Gouache or acrylic paints
·Round and flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Water container
·Rag or paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Stretched canvas or heavy paper

optional

·palette knife
·medium (for acrylics)
·varnish

Using a limited palette will help to create a harmonious and unified painting. Experiment with different brushstrokes to achieve a variety of textures and effects.

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