plate no. 5033

The Louvre

Maurice Prendergast, 1907

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingfigurestreesparkcityscapestatue

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and colors. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to define shapes.

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: the building, the statue, the trees, and the figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre across the building, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 03
Add washes of green and blue to the trees and grass, allowing the colors to blend and bleed.
step 04
Use darker shades of brown and blue to define the architectural details of the building.
step 05
Paint the figures with quick, gestural strokes, using a limited palette of blues, pinks, and blacks.
step 06
Add details to the statue with light washes of gray and blue.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add small details like windows and foliage.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · sap green

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the building. Use cerulean blue and sap green for the foliage, adjusting the proportions to create variations in color. Mix alizarin crimson with white to create the pinks for the figures.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·color layering
·simplified shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding new layers.
→Failing to simplify the shapes and forms.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·#6 round brush
·#2 round brush
·water container
·palette
·paper towels
·pencil

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve a variety of textures and effects.

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