Urban Watercolors: Architect's Eye course with Andrey Samolinov

We'll also cover basic color mixes for urban scenes and talk about how to build a palette that works for you — rather than blindly following someone else's formulas.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• choose a subject from a photo and turn a reference into an expressive composition;
• work on a wet sheet to avoid muddiness while keeping the transparency of watercolor;
• fit staffage and details into perspective;
• understand the stages: from masking fluid all the way to the final details.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• create a winning composition and paint a monochrome landscape;
• build a tonal map that guides the viewer's eye;
• combine wet-on-wet and dry techniques, including the dry-brush method;
• work in stages, following a logical sequence.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• build a perspective model of a street with dense development;
• manage detail, avoiding "visual noise";
• incorporate traffic flow and pedestrians into the composition without overworking the details;
• choose color mixes and use bright accents without overloading the scene.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• understand how light and color work in the evening and convey them in a painting;
• use simple technical shapes to paint staffage and place people within the scene's space;
• use a melamine sponge, masking tape, and a scrubber brush to shape perspective and movement across the square;
• follow the workflow: from broad, general strokes to local accents.

You'll understand where the course's techniques come from and why the air between buildings matters more to me than the façades themselves — and along the way, you'll start seeing your own watercolor work in a whole new light.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• choose a composition and pick the key bright accent in a night scene;
• paint an urban landscape with the light of shop windows, street lamps, and reflections on the pavement, keeping the transparency;
• apply technical techniques: washing off line work along masking tape, using a sponge, scrubber brush, and sandpaper;
• place staffage in perspective and in the light, without painting faces or details.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• choose a composition and adapt the reference to the mood you want;
• convey evening light and illumination within a narrow urban space;
• place accents so the eye moves through the scene naturally;
• use a sponge and scrubber brush for light and texture;
• paint perspective and staffage so the space feels dynamic.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• build a perspective model of an enfilade space and divide the scene into planes;
• change the lighting model to deepen the sense of space and add interest to the composition;
• distribute local accents within a narrow urban space;
• use line work, dry brush, a sponge, and a scrubber brush for light, texture, and movement;
• design staffage and carefully place figures into the perspective.

In this lesson you'll learn how to:

• choose a composition and scene angle that highlights the strongest parts of the reference;
• build the perspective of the square, divide it into planes, and preserve the sense of open space;
• convey the light-toned stone of the statue and its scale against the city backdrop, working with a warm-cool palette;
• carefully place figures into the perspective and light.