plate no. 7598

Village Street, Dominica

oilRealismlandscapebuildingstreeslandscapeskyvillagehouses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes and layering, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

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 distant hills.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and violet to the sky, allowing it to blend softly.
step 03
Using a larger brush, apply a diluted wash of yellow and green to the trees, varying the intensity for depth.
step 04
Mix a light red-brown and apply a wash to the buildings, leaving some areas lighter to suggest sunlight.
step 05
Add darker values to the shadows under the roofs and along the sides of the buildings using a more concentrated red-brown and violet mix.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the trees, such as the palm fronds, with quick, gestural strokes.
step 07
Strengthen the shadows and add small details to the buildings to create more definition.
step 08
Evaluate the painting and add final touches to balance the composition and values.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · violet · yellow ochre

Mix cerulean blue with a touch of alizarin crimson for the sky. Use raw sienna and alizarin crimson for the buildings, varying the ratio for different shades. Combine cerulean blue and raw sienna for the foliage.

techniques