plate no. 4577

Versailles. The roofs of the city

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1924

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscaperoofsbuildingstreesskychimneys

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic 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 of the buildings, roofs, and trees, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of diluted color, capturing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the roofs and buildings, starting with the lighter tones.
step 04
Layer in darker values to define shadows and create form, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using varied brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, including windows, chimneys, and architectural elements.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix muted greens for the foliage by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the roof colors by blending raw sienna, burnt umber, and cadmium red.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast
→Incorrect perspective of the buildings

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·palette knife
·kneaded eraser
·ruler
·watercolor pencils

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve varied textures.

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