plate no. 8124

St. Paul's Cathedral in New York

watercolor, paperRomanticismcityscapecathedraltreesfiguresskyfencecityscape

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth using subtle color variations. Students can practice rendering architectural details with simplified brushstrokes.

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: cathedral, trees, and fence.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic perspective of the cathedral.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted raw sienna or similar earth tone for the sky and ground.
step 04
Add a slightly darker wash for the cathedral, using a mix of raw sienna and a touch of blue or gray.
step 05
Paint the trees with varying shades of green, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 06
Add details to the cathedral, such as windows and architectural elements, with a fine brush.
step 07
Paint the fence in the foreground with vertical strokes, varying the thickness and spacing.
step 08
Add figures and final details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · sap green

Mix raw sienna with ultramarine blue to create various shades of gray and muted greens. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·dry brush
·layering washes
·simplified architectural rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the cathedral.
→Making the colors too saturated.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and failing to create a sense of depth.
→Not varying the tones and textures of the trees.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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