plate no. 7731

Misty Morning on the Seine

watercolorImpressionismcityscapecityscapeboatswaterarchwayfiguresbuildings

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create atmospheric perspective using watercolor washes and how to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth with loose brushwork and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the archway, the boats, and the figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the entire paper to create a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of diluted blues, purples, and browns to establish the shadows and the forms of the archway and the buildings.
step 04
Paint the boats with a mix of reds, browns, and oranges, keeping the colors muted and blended.
step 05
Add the figures with quick, gestural brushstrokes, using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 06
Create the water reflections with horizontal strokes of diluted blues, purples, and browns.
step 07
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the archway and the ground.
step 08
Add final details and highlights with a fine brush, focusing on the edges of the boats and the figures.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

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

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use plenty of water to create transparent washes. Mix browns from primary colors.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·atmospheric perspective
·suggestive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.
→Making the initial sketch too detailed.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, raw umber, Payne's gray)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Water container
·Palette for mixing paints
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser