plate no. 2933

Umbrellas in the Rain

watercolor, paperImpressionismgenre paintingumbrellasfiguresbridgearchitecturewatercityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water using watercolor washes and dry brush techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the architecture, bridge, and figures, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the entire paper to create a warm underpainting.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values of the architecture and bridge using diluted washes of burnt umber and indigo.
step 04
Paint the figures and umbrellas with loose, expressive brushstrokes, varying the colors and values to create depth.
step 05
Add reflections in the water using horizontal strokes of similar colors as the objects above, but slightly darker and more blurred.
step 06
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the architecture and water surface.
step 07
Strengthen the dark accents and details with a fine brush to define the forms.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the values and colors to achieve a harmonious and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · indigo · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and grey by combining the primary colors. Use plenty of water to achieve transparent washes. Add small amounts of red or blue to the browns to create variations in temperature.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much paint and creating muddy colors.
→Failing to capture the reflections accurately.
→Not diluting the paint enough for transparent washes.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper 140lb
·palette
·water container
·masking tape
·pencil

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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