plate no. 2098

Church of St. Catherine in St. Petersburg

graphite, ink, watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitectureskyroofschurch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural drawing, perspective, and watercolor washes. It also provides practice in rendering subtle color variations and textures.

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 and perspective lines of the buildings and church.
step 02
Refine the sketch, adding details like windows, columns, and roof lines.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and orange to the sky area.
step 04
Mix a light gray-blue for the buildings and apply a thin wash, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 05
Add darker values to the shadows and architectural details using a mix of gray, brown, and blue.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details like window panes, architectural ornamentation, and roof textures.
step 07
Glaze with thin washes of color to unify the painting and add depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights with white or light-colored paint.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

Mix light grays by combining white with small amounts of raw umber and blue. Achieve the warm tones of the sky by blending yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·linear perspective
·glazing
·architectural rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Using too much water, causing the paper to buckle.
→Incorrect perspective, leading to distorted buildings.
→Uneven washes, resulting in streaks or blotches.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·graphite pencil
·fine detail brush
·round brush #6
·flat brush #10
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. A limited palette of colors will encourage mixing and create a more harmonious painting.

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