plate no. 8066

Splash of Sunshine and Rain

pencil, watercolor, paperImpressionismcityscapebuildingflagsfigurescityscapewatersky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. It also encourages observation of light and shadow in a complex environment.

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 building, the crowd, and the water features.
step 02
Begin with a light wash of sky blue, allowing it to blend and fade.
step 03
Apply a warm, diluted wash of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the building, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 04
Use a slightly darker mix of the same colors to define the architectural details.
step 05
Add the flags with bold strokes of red, green, and white.
step 06
Paint the crowd with loose, suggestive brushstrokes, using a variety of colors for the figures and umbrellas.
step 07
Create the water reflections with horizontal strokes of blue, brown, and gray.
step 08
Add final details and shadows to enhance depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber

Achieve the building's warm tones by mixing yellow ochre and burnt sienna, diluting with water for lighter washes. Mix ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt sienna for the grays in the water.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·layering
·negative painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated and overpowering.
→Not allowing the watercolor washes to dry properly before adding subsequent layers.
→Failing to capture the light and shadow accurately.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·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 varying levels of detail.

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