plate no. 9731

View over excavation Oosterdok, Amsterdam city

Paul Werner, 2006

gouache, watercolor, paperExpressionismcityscapecityscapeconstructionbuildingsskycraneexcavation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose sketching, layering transparent washes, and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and texture. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the crane and buildings.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue watercolor for the sky, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 03
Add a base layer of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the ground and buildings, varying the intensity.
step 04
Use darker shades of brown and black to define the shapes of the buildings and add shadows.
step 05
Paint the crane with orange and blue gouache, using bold, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the foreground with short, broken brushstrokes of various colors.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add linear details and outlines to the buildings and crane.
step 08
Evaluate the painting and add final touches to balance the composition and values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · black · white · orange

Mix ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt sienna to create muted grays for the buildings. Use white gouache to lighten the blue for the sky and add highlights. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the ground, varying the proportions to create different shades.

techniques