plate no. 9366

Rowlandson House - Sunset

Walter Sickert, 1912

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingsskytreesfoliagecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and foliage, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-violet wash, leaving some areas for clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the buildings using a mix of browns, blues, and blacks.
step 04
Add the foliage using broken brushstrokes of greens, blues, and browns, varying the values to create depth.
step 05
Paint the details of the windows and architectural elements with small, precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the sky with highlights and shadows to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final touches to the foliage, highlighting areas that catch the light.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of values and colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray

Mix blues and browns to create the dark tones of the buildings. Use white to lighten the sky and foliage. Add yellow ochre to greens for warmer highlights.

techniques