plate no. 3529

Woolworth Building No. 28

John Marin, 1912

oilCubismcityscapecityscapebuildingskyarchitectureurbanclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a subject rather than photorealistic detail. It also encourages experimentation with abstracting forms and using color to convey mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the Woolworth Building and surrounding structures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow and orange to the background to create a sense of light.
step 03
Use diluted blues and grays to represent the sky and clouds, allowing them to blend and bleed.
step 04
Begin adding darker washes of brown, green, and red to define the buildings and foreground.
step 05
Use a dry brush technique to create texture and suggest details in the architecture.
step 06
Add small touches of bright red and blue to create focal points and visual interest.
step 07
Continue to layer washes, allowing each layer to dry slightly before applying the next.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · payne's gray · sap green

Mix browns and greens by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Achieve grays by mixing complementary colors like burnt umber and cerulean blue.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·layering
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, spontaneous feel.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Focusing too much on detail and neglecting the overall composition.
→Not allowing layers to dry properly before applying the next.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve a variety of textures.

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