plate no. 9160

Place St. Barthélemy, Rouen

oilRomanticismcityscapecityscapebuildingsarchwayfiguresstreetarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, watercolor washes, and creating atmospheric depth. It also provides practice in capturing architectural details and figures in a loose, expressive style.

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 buildings and archway.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points to guide the perspective.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the areas that will be the warmest.
step 04
Mix a cool gray using ultramarine blue and burnt umber, and apply it to the shadowed areas of the buildings and archway.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural features, using a fine brush and diluted paint.
step 06
Paint the figures in the archway with simple shapes and muted colors, focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Strengthen the shadows and add darker accents to create depth and contrast.
step 08
Add final details, such as the signage on the building and any remaining architectural elements.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · light gray · white

Mix various shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue and burnt umber in different ratios. Use yellow ochre and raw sienna for the warm tones of the buildings.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·perspective drawing
·atmospheric perspective
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of perspective, resulting in a flat or distorted image.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the muted, atmospheric mood.
→Not paying attention to the values, which can flatten the image and reduce the sense of depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt umber, ultramarine blue)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Ruler

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

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

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