plate no. 1406

Carnival on the Fontanka River

Alexandre Benois, 1900

gouache, graphite, watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismsketch and studyriverfiguresbuildingsboatscityscapecanal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing figures in motion with minimal detail. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, embankment, boats, and figures.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the buildings.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted brown/ochre for the water, allowing it to dry.
step 04
Paint the embankment with a slightly darker, warmer brown wash, adding variations for texture.
step 05
Add the buildings with light gray and white washes, suggesting details with minimal lines.
step 06
Paint the boats and figures using quick, loose strokes of color, focusing on capturing their gestures and positions.
step 07
Add details like the flag, boat decorations, and figures' clothing with slightly more saturated colors.
step 08
Refine the drawing with graphite pencil, adding subtle lines and shadows to define shapes and details.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix various shades of brown by combining raw umber with small amounts of red, blue, and yellow. Achieve lighter tones by diluting the paint with water or mixing with white.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·loose sketching
·limited palette
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking details
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing
→Failing to establish a clear focal point

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·graphite pencils (HB, 2B)
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Use a medium-sized round brush for most of the painting and a smaller brush for details. Experiment with different brushstrokes to create texture and interest.

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