plate no. 2042

The Old Citadel

George Stefanescu, 1967

watercolor, paperExpressionismcityscapebuildingscityscapearchitecturestreetskyroofs

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and expressive line work to capture the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and layering to create depth and interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the tower, focusing on proportions and angles.
step 02
Apply a very diluted wash of light blue for the sky, allowing it to blend softly.
step 03
Using a larger brush, apply the initial washes of color to the buildings (yellow, pink, green), letting the colors bleed and mix slightly.
step 04
Add darker values to the buildings and roofs using a mix of browns, blacks, and the existing colors, focusing on creating shadows and depth.
step 05
Define the details of the windows, doors, and architectural features with a smaller brush and darker, more concentrated paint.
step 06
Use a fine brush or pen to add expressive black outlines to emphasize the shapes and create contrast.
step 07
Add final touches and details, such as the figures on the roofs and the texture of the ground.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue for various shades of brown and gray. Use alizarin crimson diluted with water to achieve the pink tones. Mix yellow ochre and viridian green for the green building.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush
·expressive line work
·color layering
·watercolor washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Making the lines too uniform and losing the spontaneity.
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding details.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·pencil

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler
·spray bottle

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein