plate no. 1810

Moroccan courtyard

Eugene Delacroix

watercolorOrientalisminteriorcourtyardarchitectureinteriordoorsfigurebalcony

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic architectural structure, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted ochre or raw sienna for the floor and walls.
step 04
Mix a green for the wooden structures and apply washes, varying the intensity for depth.
step 05
Add details to the doors and openings with darker browns and greens.
step 06
Paint the figure with a light wash of brown and grey.
step 07
Add shadows to define forms and create depth.
step 08
Refine details and add final touches, such as the railing and interior elements.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · sap green · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray

Achieve the wall color by diluting raw sienna with water. Mix different shades of green by combining sap green with white or a touch of burnt umber. Use Payne's gray sparingly for shadows.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·perspective drawing
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Incorrect perspective, making the architecture look distorted.
→Using too much paint, resulting in a heavy, opaque look.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow to create depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper (140lb)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brush (1 inch)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Ruler

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

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