plate no. 2376

Anna Passini on the balcony of Palazzo Priuli in Venice

watercolor, paperAcademicismgenre paintingarchitecturefigurebalconywaterbuildingssky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering, atmospheric perspective, and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on various surfaces. It also offers practice in painting figures within a detailed environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural elements, focusing on accurate proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with diluted washes, gradually building up color intensity.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the buildings, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
step 04
Define the main structure of the balcony and the figure, using a slightly darker value range.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the window frames, columns, and decorative carvings.
step 06
Refine the figure's form and clothing, adding subtle shadows and highlights.
step 07
Create reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings above.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall realism and depth.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · viridian

Achieve the warm brick tones by mixing burnt sienna with cadmium red light and a touch of yellow ochre. Create atmospheric blues by diluting ultramarine with water. Mix greens for the shutters with yellow ochre and viridian.

techniques