plate no. 7562

Venice, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni

Henri-Edmond Cross, 1905

watercolorPointillismcityscapebuildingswaterboatstreescityscapereflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, pointillism, and capturing light and reflections in water. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and color patterns.

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 buildings, water, and boats, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the lightest values with diluted washes of yellow and light blue, creating a base for the sky and water.
step 03
Begin applying individual dots or small strokes of color to the buildings, using a mix of blues, yellows, and whites to create a sense of form and light.
step 04
Work on the water, using a variety of blues, greens, and yellows to represent reflections and movement.
step 05
Add darker values to the trees and shadows, using deeper blues and greens.
step 06
Define the details of the boats and architectural elements with smaller, more precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the color palette and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix blues and yellows to create greens for the water and foliage. Use white to lighten colors and create subtle variations in tone. Combine burnt sienna with blues to create shadows.

techniques