plate no. 6306

Santiago de Cuba, Street Scene

graphite, watercolorRealismcityscapebuildingsstreetfigureskycityscapearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It will also improve their ability to mix subtle color variations and create convincing textures with watercolor.

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 street.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the buildings, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 03
Add a diluted blue wash to the sky, allowing it to blend softly with the building washes.
step 04
Introduce darker values using burnt umber and indigo to define shadows and architectural details.
step 05
Paint the figures and animals with simplified shapes and muted colors.
step 06
Add details to the windows, doors, and rooftops using a fine brush and darker values.
step 07
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the walls and ground.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors to achieve atmospheric perspective.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · indigo · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the warm building tones. Use ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt umber for the sky and shadows. Add cadmium red to burnt umber for the roof tiles.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies
·layering washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Ignoring the principles of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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