plate no. 6061

Somerset House Terrace and the Thames A View from the North End of Waterloo Bridge with St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance

oilRomanticismcityscaperiverbuildingsboatsskycityscapewater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It provides practice in simplifying complex architectural details and rendering reflections on water.

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 horizon line, the building on the right, and the general shape of the river.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, allowing for variations in tone to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the water, a muted green-gray, and indicate the reflections.
step 04
Paint the building on the right, focusing on capturing the overall form rather than precise details; use a mix of warm grays and creams.
step 05
Add the distant cityscape, using soft, blurred strokes to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Indicate the boats and figures with quick, gestural marks.
step 07
Refine the details of the building and the reflections in the water, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix muted greens for the water by combining blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the warm grays for the buildings by mixing white, raw umber, and a hint of burnt sienna.

techniques