plate no. 7227

View of the New Jerusalem Monastery near Moscow

Giacomo Quarenghi, 1797

oilNeoclassicismcityscapearchitecturebuildingsfiguresarchcityscapefoliage

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the monastery buildings, arch, and figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted raw sienna or yellow ochre to the entire paper to create a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin adding darker washes to define the shadows and architectural details of the buildings, using a mix of burnt umber and indigo.
step 04
Paint the archway, using a dry brush technique to create a textured stone effect.
step 05
Add details to the figures, using small brushes and diluted colors.
step 06
Paint the foliage around the archway, using a stippling technique to create a naturalistic effect.
step 07
Add final details and highlights with a fine brush, using white or light yellow to accentuate the architectural features.
step 08
Review and adjust values and details to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric composition.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · indigo

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing primary colors with white and varying the water-to-pigment ratio. Use indigo and burnt umber for darker shadows and architectural details.

techniques

·perspective drawing
·dry brush
·atmospheric washes
·stippling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings.
→Overworking details and losing the atmospheric effect.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Inaccurate proportions of figures.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·HB pencil
·kneaded eraser
·water container

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·ruler
·watercolor pencils

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure smooth washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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