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home·artworks·Via della Rocca in Montecelio
Via della Rocca in Montecelio by Scipione Simoni

plate no. 3786

Via della Rocca in Montecelio

Scipione Simoni, 1907

watercolor, paperRealismcityscapearchitecturestreetbuildingsstonedoorwaystairs
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures like stone and brick using watercolor washes and dry brush techniques, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, doorways, and stairs.

  2. step 02

    Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the entire paper as a base tone.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering washes of color to establish the shadows and darker areas of the stone walls and doorways.

  4. step 04

    Use a dry brush technique with darker browns and grays to add texture and detail to the stones and bricks.

  5. step 05

    Paint the doorway and wooden door using a combination of washes and dry brush to simulate the wood grain.

  6. step 06

    Add details like the plants, small architectural features, and shadows on the cobblestone street.

  7. step 07

    Use a fine brush to add small details like the leaves and the texture of the stone.

  8. step 08

    Adjust values and add final highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · payne's gray · cadmium yellow

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the stone. Add ultramarine blue to burnt sienna to create grays for shadows. Use cadmium yellow sparingly for highlights.

techniques

  • ·watercolor washes
  • ·dry brush
  • ·layering
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·rendering texture

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early
  • →Not establishing a strong value structure
  • →Using too much water and losing control of the washes
  • →Ignoring the perspective and creating a flat image

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb cold press

required

  • ·watercolor paints
  • ·watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
  • ·flat brush (1/2 inch)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·paper towels
  • ·pencil

optional

  • ·masking fluid
  • ·palette knife
  • ·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to allow for multiple washes without buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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watercolor techniques →how to learn by studying the masters →
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