plate no. 6724

Kislovodsk

Pyotr Konchalovsky, 1938

watercolor, paperRealismlandscapetreesbuildingslandscapeskymountainsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the essence of a landscape with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: trees, buildings, mountains.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky.
step 03
Add a base layer of green and brown washes for the trees and foliage, varying the tones.
step 04
Paint the buildings with a mix of yellow ochre and burnt sienna, adding shadows with a darker mix.
step 05
Layer darker greens and browns to define the tree shapes and add depth.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the branches and leaves.
step 07
Add final touches of color and highlights to the buildings and foliage.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and details as needed.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · gray

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create earth tones by mixing burnt sienna with blue or umber. Use plenty of water to achieve transparent washes.

techniques