plate no. 5322

Visit of Tetuan from the terrace of Khalifa

Carlos Saenz de Tejada, 1938

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapecityscapearchitecturetowerfiguresskymountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting architectural details and figures within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, tower, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted wash of blue and yellow, allowing it to blend on the paper.
step 03
Establish the base tones for the buildings and tower, using a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.
step 04
Gradually build up the shadows and details on the buildings and tower with darker washes of the same colors, adding a touch of blue or purple to the shadows.
step 05
Paint the distant mountains with a light wash of purple and ochre to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add the figures in the foreground, using small brushstrokes and a limited palette of colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the architectural elements, such as windows, arches, and decorative patterns.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Achieve the warm tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre and burnt sienna with white. Create atmospheric perspective by diluting colors with water and adding a touch of blue or purple to distant objects.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·atmospheric perspective
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of perspective.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper (140lb)
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser
·masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·kneaded eraser
·watercolor pencils

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

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