plate no. 9926

Our house in Tetouan

watercolor, drawing, gouache, paperRomanticisminteriorinteriorarchitecturearchesdoorswater basinwalls

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through subtle value changes and understanding architectural forms in perspective. It also provides practice in rendering textures with watercolor washes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the room and the water basin.
step 02
Establish the main light source and indicate areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted raw umber or similar color to the entire painting to create a warm undertone.
step 04
Begin layering washes of varying strengths to build up the darker areas, focusing on the shadows within the arches and on the water basin.
step 05
Use a slightly drier brush to add texture to the walls and the water basin, suggesting the rough surfaces.
step 06
Add details to the doors and architectural elements, using a fine brush and slightly darker values.
step 07
Use white gouache or watercolor to add highlights and define the edges of the architectural details.
step 08
Refine the values and details, paying attention to the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and ivory black for the darker shadows. Add titanium white to the primary colors to create lighter tones for the walls and highlights. Use yellow ochre sparingly to warm up the overall tone.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·value layering
·perspective drawing
·architectural rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating too much contrast, which can make the painting look harsh.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth.
→Not establishing a clear light source.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre)
·round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·flat watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·gouache (white)
·masking fluid
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to allow for multiple washes without buckling. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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