plate no. 9323

Rome from the Pincio

pencil, watercolorRealismlandscapecityscapearchitecturetreefountaindomelandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating depth using atmospheric perspective and accurately rendering architectural details with watercolor. Students will also learn to create a sense of light and shadow using subtle washes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the fountain, the tree, and the distant buildings.
step 02
Establish the sky with a diluted wash of blue and pink.
step 03
Paint the distant buildings using very light washes of grey, pink, and blue, focusing on the dome.
step 04
Begin layering washes on the fountain, building up darker tones to define its form.
step 05
Paint the tree trunk and branches, using a mix of browns and greys, leaving some areas lighter to suggest highlights.
step 06
Add details to the fountain and the surrounding architecture, such as the water and the edges of the structures.
step 07
Refine the foreground with darker washes to create depth and contrast.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

secondary · alizarin crimson · payne's gray

Mix raw umber and cerulean blue for the grays in the buildings and fountain. Use diluted alizarin crimson for the pink hues in the sky and buildings. Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the tree and foreground.

techniques

·wet-on-dry washes
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, losing the sense of distance.
→Making the foreground too dark, flattening the image.
→Using too much water, causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·palette knife
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

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

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