plate no. 2737

Seville

Vasily Surikov, 1910

watercolor, paperImpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturestreetbalconieswindows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing architectural details with simplified forms. It also emphasizes understanding color temperature and atmospheric perspective.

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.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft edges.
step 03
Begin layering washes for the buildings, starting with the lightest tones of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 04
Add darker washes to define shadows and architectural details, such as windows and balconies.
step 05
Use a smaller brush to add details like window frames, railings, and the red storefront.
step 06
Create depth by layering washes and using cooler colors for distant elements.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights with a slightly drier brush.
step 08
Allow to dry completely and assess for any needed adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · white (for lightening)

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and ultramarine blue. Dilute colors with water to achieve the desired transparency and create lighter washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush
·layering washes
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
→Creating muddy colors by mixing too many pigments together.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in defining form.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints (tubes or pans)
·watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·round watercolor brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
·palette for mixing paints
·water container
·paper towels
·sketching pencil
·kneaded 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 varying levels of detail.

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