plate no. 4615

Summer sketch

Yuriy Khymych, 1952

watercolorRealismcityscapebuildingstreescityscapearchitectureroadsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing architectural details with simplified shapes and line work. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective through color and value variations.

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 and perspective lines of the buildings and road.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue for the sky, allowing it to blend softly.
step 03
Paint the distant hills with a very diluted ochre or light brown wash.
step 04
Begin layering washes for the buildings, starting with the lightest tones and gradually adding darker values for shadows and details.
step 05
Use a small brush to add details like windows, roof tiles, and architectural features, using a mix of browns, reds, and blues.
step 06
Paint the trees and foliage with loose, varied greens, suggesting texture with dry brush strokes.
step 07
Add the road with a mix of grays and blues, indicating shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as darkening shadows and adding subtle color variations.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green · payne's gray

Mix blues and browns for grays and shadows. Use diluted washes for lighter tones and layering. Mix greens from blue and yellow ochre, adding burnt sienna to mute.

techniques