plate no. 4568

Strelets Patrol at Ilyinskie gates in the old Moscow

watercolor, paperRomanticismgenre paintingsoldiersbuildingsstreetfigurescityscapehistorical

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a landscape. Students can learn to simplify details and focus on capturing the overall mood and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and street.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with diluted washes, starting with the sky and background buildings.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the shapes of the buildings and the road.
step 04
Paint the figures of the soldiers, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street using lighter values and soft blending.
step 07
Add final details, such as the fence and the small shrine on the right.
step 08
Refine the edges and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ivory black

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the earthy tones of the buildings and street. Use cadmium red and yellow ochre to create the orange-red color of the soldiers' uniforms. Mix ultramarine blue with burnt sienna for the darker shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·layering washes
·simplified figure rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking details in the background
→Creating harsh edges that flatten the image
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes
→Incorrect perspective in the buildings
→Making the figures too detailed and distracting from the overall scene

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb cold press

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·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 various effects.

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