plate no. 7840

View Towards Sf. Spiridon Church

Lucian Grigorescu, 1940

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingstreescityscapeskyfigures

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. Students will learn to simplify complex forms and create depth with color and value.

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 of the buildings, trees, and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a very diluted wash of light blue/gray for the sky, allowing it to dry.
step 03
Begin layering in the larger shapes of the buildings with diluted washes of yellow, ochre, and brown.
step 04
Add the greens of the trees using a mix of blues and yellows, varying the intensity.
step 05
Introduce darker values to define shadows and add depth to the buildings and trees.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground with quick, simple strokes.
step 07
Add details like roof lines and window suggestions with a fine brush.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive scene.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cerulean blue

secondary · sap green · raw umber · cadmium red

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining the primary colors. Dilute the paints significantly for transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·color mixing
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water and losing control
→Making the colors too saturated
→Not establishing a clear value structure

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cerulean blue, sap green, raw umber, cadmium red)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes #4, #8)
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser