plate no. 2392

El Rastro (Madrid)

Jesús Meneses del Barco, 1972

watercolorContemporary Realismcityscapecityscapebuildingsmarketpeoplearchitecturestreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, watercolor washes, and capturing the essence of a bustling urban scene with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere using value and 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 basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and the overall composition.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the entire paper to create a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin painting the sky with a diluted mix of ultramarine blue and a touch of burnt sienna, allowing it to blend softly.
step 04
Establish the dark values of the buildings using a mix of burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and a touch of crimson, focusing on shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the figures in the market scene with quick, gestural brushstrokes, using a limited palette of grays, browns, and muted colors.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, balconies, and roof tiles, using a fine brush and darker values.
step 07
Introduce pops of color with the market umbrellas and other elements, using colors like red, blue, and yellow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and dimension, using a dry brush technique for texture.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · crimson · raw sienna · white

Achieve the various browns and grays by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue and adjusting the ratios for different values. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush texture
·perspective drawing
·atmospheric perspective
·gestural brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, spontaneous feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring perspective and creating a flat, unrealistic composition.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, crimson, raw sienna, white)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb, cold press)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Masking tape