plate no. 5338

Paris

František Hudeček, 1946

watercolorExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchitecturestreetsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and expressive linework. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the buildings, allowing colors to blend and bleed.
step 03
Add a diluted blue wash to the sky, leaving some areas lighter to suggest clouds.
step 04
Introduce darker values with burnt umber and black to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Use a fine brush or pen to add expressive linework, outlining shapes and adding details like windows and chimneys.
step 06
Create the street surface with a mix of blues, grays, and browns, suggesting reflections and puddles.
step 07
Add final touches with small details and adjustments to values and colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · black · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue diluted for the sky and mixed with burnt umber for grays. Vary the water-to-paint ratio for different intensities.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush
·expressive linework
·layering washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
→Making the linework too rigid and lacking spontaneity.
→Not simplifying the complex architectural forms.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing or diluting.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·fine liner brush
·palette
·water container

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying line widths and textures.

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