plate no. 2712

Glassmakers street in Vilno

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, 1906

pencil, watercolor, whitewash, paperExpressionismcityscapestreetbuildingsarchcityscapewindowssigns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing and capturing the atmosphere of a city street with a limited color palette. It will also help to understand how to create depth with watercolor and pencil.

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 arch.
step 02
Add details to the buildings, including windows, doors, and signs.
step 03
Apply a light wash of yellow and green watercolor to the buildings and street.
step 04
Add darker washes of brown and red to create shadows and depth.
step 05
Use a pencil to add details and texture to the buildings and arch.
step 06
Use whitewash to create highlights and add a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches.
step 08
Let dry completely.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber to create the base color for the buildings. Add white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Use burnt sienna for the red tones in the buildings and payne's gray for shadows.

techniques