plate no. 9856

Cordoba

Maria Bozoky, 1984

mixed mediaExpressionismcityscapebuildingfiguretreesarchitecturecityscapeshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose sketching, capturing light and shadow with transparent washes, and creating a sense of depth with simplified forms. It also encourages expressive mark-making and confident line work.

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 and composition with a pencil.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre to the building and surrounding areas.
step 03
Add washes of green and blue for the trees and sky, allowing colors to blend.
step 04
Use burnt umber and brown to define the architectural details and shadows.
step 05
Paint the figure in the foreground with a mix of blues, grays, and blacks.
step 06
Add details to the figure and building with a fine brush or pen.
step 07
Introduce touches of red and pink for highlights and accents.
step 08
Refine the shadows and add final details to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber for warm browns, cerulean blue with sap green for various greens, and add white to lighten colors for highlights and transparency.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·pen and ink linework
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
→Using too much water, which can make the colors muddy.
→Not allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
→Being afraid to make mistakes and experiment with different techniques.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

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

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