plate no. 6382

Street in Torun

Petros Malayan, 1972

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstowersstreetarchitectureurban

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for muted tones, and creating texture with watercolor washes. It also encourages simplification of architectural forms.

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 of the buildings and the street, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted grey or Payne's gray to the entire paper to create a base tone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of color onto the buildings, starting with the lightest areas and gradually building up darker tones.
step 04
Use a slightly drier brush to create texture on the buildings and street, suggesting the aged surfaces.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of color for each building to create depth and interest.
step 06
Add details like windows and architectural features with a fine brush, keeping them simple and understated.
step 07
Refine the values and contrasts to enhance the atmospheric perspective, making distant elements lighter and less defined.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to emphasize the light source and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · Payne's Gray · Burnt Sienna · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Sap Green · Ultramarine Blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., Payne's Gray and Burnt Sienna) and diluting with plenty of water. Use Payne's Gray and Ultramarine Blue for the sky.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers

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
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various textures and details.

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