plate no. 1241

Above the roofs of Karlovac

Alfred Freddy Krupa, 2007

watercolorNew Realismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and foliage with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted grey/pink for the sky, allowing it to dry completely.
step 03
Paint the distant building with a diluted brown/grey wash, suggesting its form without precise detail.
step 04
Layer washes of green and brown to create the foliage, varying the intensity of the colors.
step 05
Paint the church tower with light grey washes, adding darker tones to define its structure and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the foreground foliage with darker greens and browns, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 07
Refine the shapes and values of the buildings and trees, adding subtle details to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Payne's Grey · Burnt Sienna · Sap Green

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Alizarin Crimson

Mix Payne's Grey with Burnt Sienna to create various shades of grey and brown. Use Yellow Ochre and Alizarin Crimson sparingly to add warmth to the greens and browns.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·atmospheric perspective
·lifting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water
→Creating muddy colors
→Not allowing washes to dry completely

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Water container
·Palette
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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