plate no. 5912
Brno
Alfred Roller, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural drawing, perspective, and watercolor layering techniques. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using subtle color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural forms and perspective lines.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to establish the base tones of the buildings and walls.
- step 03
Layer in darker washes of burnt umber and Payne's gray to define shadows and architectural details.
- step 04
Add details to the roofs using a fine brush and a mix of burnt sienna and red.
- step 05
Paint the vegetation in the foreground with varying shades of green and touches of purple for the flowers.
- step 06
Refine the architectural details with a fine brush, adding lines and textures to suggest brickwork and other features.
- step 07
Glaze over certain areas with diluted washes to unify the colors and create atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final highlights with a slightly lighter value of the base colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · burnt umber
secondary · Payne's gray · purple · green
Achieve the subtle variations in tone by diluting the primary colors with water and mixing small amounts of secondary colors to create muted shades.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective
- →Incorrect perspective in buildings
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints
- ·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
- ·Masking tape
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Ruler
- ·Spray bottle
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Consider using masking tape to secure the paper to a board.
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