plate no. 0600

From their homes

Ivan Vladimirov, 1918

watercolor, paperRealismgenre paintingfigureslandscaperefugeesclockbagsroad

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion and creating atmospheric perspective with watercolor washes. It also provides practice in rendering textures of clothing and objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and their relative positions, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and basic landscape shapes.
step 03
Begin with a light wash of diluted warm browns and yellows for the ground and muted blues and grays for the sky.
step 04
Layer in darker values to define the figures' forms and clothing, working from light to dark.
step 05
Add details to the objects being carried, such as the clock, bags, and chair.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to create texture in the clothing and ground.
step 07
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · payne's gray · cadmium red

Mix browns by combining burnt umber and yellow ochre. Create grays by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Muted greens can be achieved by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Incorrect proportions of figures.
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper 140lb
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

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

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