plate no. 1010

Maisema, Cagnes

Sallinen Tyko, 1921

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingshillsskyvillagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified shapes and values. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve subtle variations in tone.

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 hills, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted neutral colors (e.g., raw umber, burnt sienna) to the buildings and hills, establishing the base values.
step 03
Add darker washes to create shadows and define the forms of the buildings and hills.
step 04
Introduce hints of color to the roofs (reds, oranges) and the sky (blues, purples).
step 05
Use a smaller brush to add details such as windows, doors, and the fence in the foreground.
step 06
Create texture by using dry brush techniques, especially on the hills and the foreground.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · violet

Mix raw umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the roof colors. Dilute colors significantly for washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water
→Not allowing layers to dry completely
→Creating mud by overmixing colors

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Flat watercolor brush
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil