apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Old Street in Pont Aven
Old Street in Pont Aven by Nutzi Acontz

plate no. 2097

Old Street in Pont Aven

Nutzi Acontz

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsstreettreesfigurescityscape
suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing loose watercolor washes and expressive line work. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes and capture the essence of a place with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and street, focusing on proportions and perspective.

  2. step 02

    Apply a light wash of diluted brown or grey watercolor to define the street and building shadows.

  3. step 03

    Add washes of color to the buildings, using a limited palette of yellows, reds, and blues.

  4. step 04

    While the washes are still damp, add darker values to create depth and form.

  5. step 05

    Use a fine-tipped pen or brush to add expressive line work, defining edges and adding details.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the figures with simple lines and washes.

  7. step 07

    Suggest foliage with loose, gestural strokes of green and brown watercolor.

  8. step 08

    Allow the painting to dry completely, then add any final touches or corrections.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · cerulean blue · raw umber

secondary · sap green · payne's grey

Mix browns and greys by combining the primary colors. Use plenty of water to achieve transparent washes.

techniques

  • ·watercolor washes
  • ·expressive line work
  • ·wet-on-wet blending
  • ·dry brush texture

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the painting with too much detail.
  • →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
  • →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
  • →Losing the loose, spontaneous feel of the original.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·watercolor paints
  • ·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
  • ·watercolor paper 140lb
  • ·fine-tipped pen (waterproof)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·paper towels

optional

  • ·masking fluid
  • ·kneaded eraser
  • ·ruler

Use a good quality watercolor paper that can withstand multiple washes. Experiment with different types of pens and brushes to find what works best for you.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →color theory for painters →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

The Dinner Party

The Dinner Party

Jules-Alexandre Grun

La Fleuriste

La Fleuriste

Le Pho

Family on Vacation

Family on Vacation

Roman Selsky

Old wooden cottage in the snow

Old wooden cottage in the snow

Alfred Freddy Krupa

Paris Street

Paris Street

Maurice Utrillo

Grand bouquet of mimosa

Grand bouquet of mimosa

Moise Kisling

Versailles

Versailles

Alexandre Benois

Autumn Landscape with Birches

Autumn Landscape with Birches

Konstantin Gorbatov