plate no. 7658

Back of old house, Clyde St Miller's Point

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingfiguresstairsbarrelarchitectureyard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with watercolor washes and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. They will also learn to simplify complex architectural forms and figures into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the building, stairs, and figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to establish the overall warm tone of the scene.
step 03
Define the darker areas of the building and stairs with a slightly more concentrated mix of burnt umber and ultramarine blue.
step 04
Add details to the figures, using a limited palette of browns, blues, and whites.
step 05
Layer washes to build up depth and create shadows, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the walls and ground.
step 07
Add final details, such as the railings and window panes, with a fine brush.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the building and ground. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create various shades of gray and brown for shadows and details. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
→Failing to establish a clear light source and consistent shadows.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not simplifying the complex architectural forms.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, white)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb, cold press)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve various effects.

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