plate no. 3995
View Of Zarzalejo With The Church Of San Pedro Apóstol
Martín Rico y Ortega, 1858
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to create depth with atmospheric perspective and how to suggest detail with loose brushstrokes. Recreating it will also help develop skills in watercolor layering and glazing.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: buildings, church, and horizon line.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue for the sky, leaving some areas for clouds.
- step 03
Paint the distant mountain with a diluted grey-blue wash.
- step 04
Begin layering washes of browns and yellows for the buildings and ground, establishing the basic values.
- step 05
Add darker washes to define shadows and architectural details.
- step 06
Use a smaller brush to add details like figures and vegetation.
- step 07
Glaze over areas with thin washes to adjust colors and values.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights with dry brush techniques.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · raw umber · sap green
Mix ultramarine with burnt sienna to create grays for the buildings and mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the ground and buildings. Dilute colors significantly for washes.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering washes
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without diluting them.
- →Making the shadows too dark and harsh.
- →Losing the sense of light and atmosphere.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·masking tape
- ·pencil
optional
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
- ·spray bottle
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varied effects.
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