plate no. 3605

View of Rotterdam

watercolorImpressionismcityscapewindmillwaterbuildingsboatsskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, creating atmospheric perspective, and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes. It also encourages loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

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: windmill, buildings, water line, and distant structures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and violet for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft variations.
step 03
Paint the water with horizontal washes of blue, violet, and brown, reflecting the colors of the sky and buildings.
step 04
Add the basic shapes of the buildings with light washes of white, grey, and touches of red for the roof.
step 05
Paint the windmill using brown and grey washes, paying attention to the structure and the angle of the sails.
step 06
Add details to the boats and figures using darker tones of brown and black.
step 07
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the buildings and windmill.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix blues and reds for the sky and water reflections. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the windmill and buildings. Add white to create lighter tones and atmospheric perspective.

techniques