plate no. 7771
The cathederal in Rostov The Great
Konstantin Yuon, 1906
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes, creating atmospheric perspective, and simplifying complex architectural forms. It also provides practice in rendering bare trees and figures in a snowy landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the cathedral and trees, focusing on composition.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted raw sienna or yellow ochre to the entire paper to create a warm undertone.
- step 03
Begin layering washes of diluted blues, grays, and browns for the sky and distant buildings, creating atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Add darker washes to define the shadows on the buildings and snow, using a mix of burnt umber and ultramarine blue.
- step 05
Paint the trees with thin, gestural strokes, using a fine brush and a mix of burnt umber and black.
- step 06
Add details to the cathedral, such as windows, domes, and crosses, using a small brush and opaque colors.
- step 07
Paint the figures and horse-drawn carriage in the foreground with simple shapes and colors.
- step 08
Add final touches of white gouache or watercolor to highlight the snow and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · payne's gray
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, red and green) and adding white to lighten the values. Use diluted washes for the atmospheric effects.
techniques
- ·layering washes
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·negative painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
- →Making the trees too uniform and symmetrical.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paper 140lb
- ·Watercolor paints (raw sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Gouache (white)
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Consider using masking fluid to preserve the white areas of the snow.
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