plate no. 8074

Italy. Assisi

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1932

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapeplazatreesfountainsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and creating atmospheric perspective with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in capturing architectural forms with loose brushwork.

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 of the buildings and the plaza layout, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of key elements like the fountain and trees.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the buildings, creating a warm underpainting.
step 04
Mix and apply the sky color, blending it softly towards the horizon.
step 05
Layer in darker values on the buildings to define shadows and architectural details.
step 06
Add details like windows, doors, and the fountain, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Paint the trees and street furniture in the foreground, adding their shadows.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt sienna with white to create the building colors. Use ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt sienna to create the sky and shadows.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·simplified shapes
·color washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Creating overly saturated colors that detract from the atmospheric effect.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective.
→Making the shadows too dark and overpowering the light areas.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·palette
·water container
·masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

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

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