plate no. 4979

Carpet Sellers

watercolorOrientalismgenre paintingfiguresarchitecturecarpetmarketarchwayfabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a scene with architectural elements, as well as capturing the textures of fabrics and carpets. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the basic color washes for the sky, buildings, and ground, using diluted watercolor.
step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, starting with the larger shapes and then moving to smaller details like clothing and faces.
step 04
Paint the carpet, paying attention to the patterns and colors. Use a small brush for intricate details.
step 05
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the architectural details, such as the archways, windows, and doorways.
step 07
Add final touches and details, such as the textures of the fabrics and the expressions on the figures' faces.
step 08
Evaluate the painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings and ground. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create various shades of gray for shadows. Mix alizarin crimson and yellow ochre for the red hues in the carpet and clothing.

techniques