plate no. 2642

Astronomical Observatory of Vilnius University

Ferdynand Ruszczyc, 1910

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingarchitectureskytreessnowobservatory

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details with loose brushwork.

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 of the building and trees, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the building, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 03
Add a blue wash to the sky, varying the intensity for depth and cloud effects.
step 04
Layer darker shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the bare tree branches with a fine brush, using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 06
Add small white dots for snow using a small brush or the tip of a brush handle.
step 07
Glaze the windows with diluted blue and grey to suggest reflections.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · white · black · grey

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt umber to create warmer shadows. Use ultramarine blue diluted with water for the sky and window reflections. Mix white with blue to create the snow effect.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·dry brush
·glazing
·wet-on-dry

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water, leading to muddy colors
→Not establishing a clear value structure
→Making the architectural details too precise

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

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

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