plate no. 1795

Florence

watercolor, paperRealismcityscapecityscapearchitecturebuildingshillstreesdome

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and watercolor layering techniques. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural forms with simplified washes.

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 horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue/gray to the sky and distant hills.
step 03
Add a slightly darker wash to the buildings and rooftops, varying the tone to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the dome with a mix of browns and grays, indicating the curvature with subtle value changes.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and trees using a smaller brush and slightly more concentrated paint.
step 06
Define the foreground foliage with darker greens and browns, adding texture with dry brush techniques.
step 07
Refine the details and add final touches to the architecture, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Allow to dry completely and assess the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and diluting with plenty of water. Use varying ratios of blue and brown to create different shades of gray.

techniques