plate no. 4691

Mediteraneean City

Henri Catargi, 1931

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapeskyarchitecturewindowsdome

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms.

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 dome, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft clouds.
step 03
Mix a pale yellow wash and apply it to the buildings, varying the intensity to suggest light and shadow.
step 04
Add a light wash of green and brown for the vegetation, keeping it loose and impressionistic.
step 05
Paint the windows and doors with diluted brown and red, adding subtle details.
step 06
Use a slightly darker shade of the building colors to define edges and create shadows.
step 07
Add final details such as the dome's texture and the architectural features.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and assess the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · payne's gray

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt sienna for the building's warm tones. Use ultramarine blue and payne's gray for the sky, diluting with water for lighter shades. Mix burnt sienna and cadmium red light for the doors and windows.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·wet-on-dry
·dry brush
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Flat watercolor brush
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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