plate no. 7356

Pskov. The fish market.

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky, 1922

gouache, watercolor, paperSymbolismcityscapecityscapesnowbuildingsmarketfigureswinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, atmospheric perspective, and rendering textures of snow and architectural details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and distance using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the church, buildings, and the layout of the market stalls, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of muted yellow and pink.
step 03
Block in the large masses of the buildings with light blue-gray washes, varying the tone to suggest form.
step 04
Paint the snow-covered ground with a mix of white, blue, and gray, indicating shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 05
Add the details of the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using darker shades of blue-gray and brown.
step 06
Paint the market stalls with warm browns and grays, paying attention to their perspective and placement.
step 07
Add small figures to the scene to create a sense of scale and activity.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as shadows and highlights, to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · light blue-gray · white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · muted pink

Mix light blue-gray by combining white with a touch of ultramarine blue and a hint of burnt umber. Create snow shadows with a mix of white, blue, and a touch of violet. Achieve the warm browns for the market stalls by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·linear perspective
·dry brushing
·layering washes
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong sense of perspective, making the composition appear flat.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a cluttered and unrealistic scene.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can detract from the overall mood.
→Not varying the tones of the snow, making it appear flat and lifeless.