plate no. 0713

Old houses, Cumberland Street

Julian Ashton, 1901

oilImpressionismcityscapestreetbuildingsfigurestreesskycityscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth through layering washes. Students can develop skills in capturing light and shadow to define forms and create a realistic scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, street, and figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the entire paper for a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin painting the sky with a very diluted blue wash, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and trees with muted colors, using a wet-on-wet technique to soften edges.
step 05
Add the middle ground buildings, gradually increasing the color intensity and detail.
step 06
Paint the street with varying shades of brown and gray, creating shadows to define the road's form.
step 07
Add the figures and other details, using small brushstrokes and darker colors for contrast.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as highlights and shadows, to create depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings and street. Use ultramarine blue diluted with water for the sky. Mix raw umber with other colors to create muted shades for shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·layering washes
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective, making the distant objects appear too sharp and defined.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow, resulting in a lack of depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle

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

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