plate no. 8577

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in the village Khokhlovka Chernigov region

Heorhiy Narbut, 1912

watercolor, paperArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapechurchtreesskybuildinglandscapefigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural drawing, color mixing for subtle variations, and understanding light and shadow on geometric forms. It also encourages careful observation of details 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 of the church and surrounding landscape, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Outline the main architectural details of the building with a fine liner.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted blue for the sky, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 04
Mix a range of greens for the grass and trees, applying lighter and darker shades to create depth.
step 05
Paint the church walls with a light gray wash, adding shadows with a slightly darker gray.
step 06
Paint the green roofs, varying the shades of green to indicate light and shadow.
step 07
Add details like windows, doors, and the figure in the foreground.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · light blue · light green · gray · white

secondary · dark green · yellow · brown

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Create grays by mixing black and white, adding a touch of blue or brown for warmth or coolness.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·layering
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
→Incorrect perspective in the architectural drawing.
→Not varying the shades of green enough, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle shadows and highlights on the building.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper (140lb)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Palette
·Water container
·Masking tape

optional

·Fine liner pen
·Ruler
·Palette knife

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

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