plate no. 6506

Sarajevo, Bosnia

oilNeo-Romanticismcityscaperiverbuildingstreescityscapebridgestone wall

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, particularly linear perspective, and in rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and varied textures like stone and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the river and walls.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, trees, and river sections with diluted washes of color.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings and stone wall, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and varying the values.
step 06
Refine the foliage and trees, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 07
Add the bridge details and any other small elements.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · cerulean blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix various shades of green by combining blue, yellow, and brown. Achieve the water's color by blending blue, white, and a touch of brown. Use white to lighten the colors for highlights on the buildings and water.

techniques

·linear perspective
·wet-on-dry layering
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective can flatten the image.
→Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the water will make it look unrealistic.
→Ignoring the light and shadow on the buildings will make them appear flat.