plate no. 6943

Church in the village Dyakovo

Vasily Surikov, 1913

watercolor, paperRealismcityscapechurchtreeslandscapearchitecturevillagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and foliage with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the church and the surrounding trees, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the sky area, leaving some areas untouched for highlights.
step 03
Begin layering washes for the trees, starting with the lightest tones (yellow ochre, light brown) and gradually building up darker values (burnt umber, indigo) in subsequent layers.
step 04
Paint the church using a mix of red, brown, and white, focusing on capturing the architectural details with careful brushstrokes.
step 05
Add shadows and details to the trees and foreground using darker washes, creating depth and dimension.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the church, such as windows and architectural ornaments.
step 07
Glaze the painting with diluted washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights with opaque watercolor or gouache if needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · indigo · white · red

Mix browns by combining burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and a touch of indigo. Use white to lighten colors and create opaque highlights. Vary the proportions to achieve different shades and tones.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
→Neglecting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, raw umber, indigo, white, red)
·round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·palette
·water container
·masking tape
·sketching pencil
·kneaded eraser

optional

·palette knife
·gouache (white)
·masking fluid

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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