plate no. 7701

Channel in Haarlem

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, 1910

watercolor, paperArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapebuildingswatertreescityscapecanalreflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering and capturing architectural details with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in depicting reflections in water.

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 of the buildings, tree, and water line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted gray/blue for the sky and water.
step 03
Begin layering washes of color on the buildings, starting with the lightest tones.
step 04
Add darker tones to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the tree trunk and branches, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 06
Add the foliage with small, quick brushstrokes of yellow and brown.
step 07
Create reflections in the water by mirroring the colors and shapes of the buildings and tree.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · red · yellow

secondary · blue · white

Mix different shades of gray by combining blue, brown, and white. Achieve the red-brown hues of the buildings by mixing red with brown and a touch of yellow.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·layering
·wet-on-dry
·reflection

common pitfalls

→Overworking the watercolor and losing the transparency.
→Making the reflections too perfect and symmetrical.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Flat watercolor brush
·Water container
·Palette
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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