plate no. 1439

View from the Monastery of Sant 'Onofrio in Rome

watercolor, paperRomanticismcityscapearchitecturecolumnscityscapearchestreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, particularly atmospheric perspective, and in rendering architectural details with watercolor. It will also help them understand how to create depth and dimension using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the arches and columns.
step 02
Lightly block in the sky and distant cityscape with diluted washes of blue and gray.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the architecture, using a mix of browns, ochres, and grays.
step 04
Begin layering the shadows on the arches, columns, and brickwork to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and figures in the middle ground.
step 06
Paint the trees and greenery, using a variety of greens and yellows.
step 07
Refine the details of the brick floor, paying attention to the cast shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.