plate no. 1912

Lutheran church of Our Lady on St Petersburg Side

tusche, watercolor, gouache, paperRomanticismcityscapebuildingarchitecturefiguresskycityscapefence

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in architectural rendering, perspective, and figure painting within a landscape. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the building, figures, and horizon line, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the basic colors of the sky, ground, and building using diluted washes.
step 03
Add details to the building, including windows, trim, and architectural features, using a fine brush.
step 04
Paint the figures, focusing on their poses and clothing details.
step 05
Develop the ground with subtle color variations and shadows.
step 06
Refine the sky with soft washes and cloud formations.
step 07
Add details to the fence and surrounding buildings.
step 08
Apply final highlights and shadows to enhance depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray · alizarin crimson

Achieve the building's color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna and raw umber. Create the sky by diluting ultramarine blue with water and adding touches of Payne's gray for clouds.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brushing
·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective of the building wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·gouache

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Consider using masking fluid to preserve highlights on the building.

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