plate no. 8787

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

oilRomanticismcityscapearchitecturebuildingfigurespalm treescityscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural details with watercolor washes. Students will also learn to create depth and interest through layering and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main architectural shapes and the placement of figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the entire paper for a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of color to define the sky, using blues and grays, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings with diluted washes of gray and brown to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Develop the main building with more concentrated washes of ochre, sienna, and umber, adding details like windows and arches.
step 06
Add the palm trees, using a fine brush for the fronds and varying shades of green and brown.
step 07
Paint the figures with small, precise strokes, using a limited palette of reds, blues, and browns.
step 08
Add final details and shadows to enhance depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use diluted washes for the sky and distant buildings, and more concentrated mixes for the foreground details.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·rendering architectural details

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser
·masking tape

optional

·ruler
·palette knife
·watercolor pencils

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure even washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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