plate no. 5341

Grey Reshel, Poland

Petros Malayan, 1991

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapetowersarchitectureskystreet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing architectural forms with simplified shapes and values. It also encourages expressive brushwork to convey texture and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective of the buildings.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted grey/blue for the sky and distant areas.
step 03
Establish the main value masses on the buildings with diluted washes of grey, brown, and yellow.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the walls and roofs.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations within the washes to add depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the windows and architectural features.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

primary · Payne's Grey · Burnt Umber · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Cerulean Blue · Titanium White

Mix Payne's Grey and Burnt Umber for various shades of grey and brown. Use Yellow Ochre to warm up the building surfaces. Dilute colors significantly with water for transparent washes.

techniques

·Wet-on-wet blending
·Dry brush texture
·Layered washes
·Limited palette
·Negative painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without proper dilution.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in defining form.

materials

surface · Watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints (Payne's Grey, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean Blue, Titanium White)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Flat watercolor brush
·Water container
·Palette
·Paper towels
·Pencil