plate no. 5946

Avenue De La Grande-armée

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesskystreetarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and layering to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the Arc de Triomphe, buildings, trees, and street layout.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted green and blue for the sky and distant foliage.
step 03
Add a light grey wash to the buildings and Arc de Triomphe, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 04
Paint the trees with thin, vertical strokes of brown and burnt sienna.
step 05
Use darker blues and greys to define the street and vehicles.
step 06
Add details like figures and architectural elements with a fine brush.
step 07
Strengthen shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · sap green · payne's grey

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by blending blue and yellow. Create various shades of grey by mixing black and white, or complementary colors like blue and brown. Use plenty of water to achieve the light, transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·layering
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting with too much detail.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Creating muddy colors by over-blending.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before layering.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying line widths and textures.

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