plate no. 9280
Cambridge St., looking towards the Argyle Cut
Julian Ashton, 1901
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light on different surfaces. It also offers practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light wash of blue and hints of pink.
- step 03
Apply a thin wash of warm browns and yellows to the buildings, varying the intensity to suggest depth.
- step 04
Add darker values to the shadows and architectural details, like windows and roofs.
- step 05
Paint the figures with quick, gestural strokes, focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 06
Introduce the goat and other small details, keeping them simple and suggestive.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · cerulean blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Mix browns with blues and yellows for the buildings. Use diluted blues and pinks for the sky. Add black sparingly to darken shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering washes
- ·gestural brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Ignoring perspective
- →Making figures too stiff
- →Using colors that are too saturated
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
- ·kneaded eraser
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
- ·spray bottle
Use a good quality watercolor paper to allow for layering and blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varied effects.
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