plate no. 7495

Worried sky

Yuriy Khymych, 1980

gouachePost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapechurchbuildingshillsskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using bold brushstrokes to define form and texture. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve specific hues and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the composition: the church, buildings, hills, and sky.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and gray, creating the 'worried' effect.
step 03
Establish the basic colors for the hills and buildings, focusing on overall tones rather than details.
step 04
Add details to the church, using a smaller brush to define the architectural elements.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the buildings, adding shadows and highlights.
step 06
Develop the texture of the hills with short, directional brushstrokes.
step 07
Add small details like windows, doors, and foliage.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to color or value.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White · Burnt Sienna

secondary · Cadmium Yellow Light · Ultramarine Blue · Raw Umber

Mix various shades of blue and gray for the sky by combining Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White, and a touch of Raw Umber. Achieve the greens for the hills by mixing Yellow Ochre, Prussian Blue, and Cadmium Yellow Light. Use Burnt Sienna and Raw Umber for the buildings, adjusting the value with Titanium White.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Impasto
·Color mixing
·Simplification
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking details too early in the process.
→Failing to simplify the complex shapes of the buildings.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Not establishing a clear value structure.

materials

surface · Heavyweight watercolor paper

required

·Gouache paints
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Water container
·Rag or paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Palette knife
·Easel
·Spray Fixative

Using good quality gouache paints will make a difference in color vibrancy and blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying textures.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein