plate no. 7223

Petersburg. Fontanka.

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1922

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapecityscaperiverbuildingsskytreesbridge

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in linear perspective and creating atmospheric depth through color and value changes. Students can develop their skills in sketching and loose watercolor techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective lines of the buildings and riverbanks.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the sky area.
step 04
Mix a pale blue-gray for the water and apply a thin wash, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 05
Begin adding color to the buildings, using a limited palette of browns, blues, and yellows. Vary the intensity of the colors to create depth.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details such as windows, railings, and architectural features.
step 07
Add the trees along the riverbanks using short, broken strokes of green and brown.
step 08
Refine the details and add any necessary shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors. Use plenty of water to achieve transparent washes. Create variations in building colors by subtly shifting the ratios of the primary colors.

techniques

·linear perspective
·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the looseness of the original.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the principles of perspective, leading to a distorted composition.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers, causing muddy colors.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·ruler
·palette knife
·watercolor pencils

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

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein