As an artist, I've always been drawn to the vibrancy and energy of the city life. This is a series of watercolor paintings featuring cityscapes that capture the beauty and complexity of urban landscapes. Keep reading to learn more about my city painting process, and how I create the lights, colors and intricate details in these cityscapes. I hope this may provide some inspiration to you.

Painting the City Streets in Watercolor

1. At Nathan Road, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

2. In the City, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

3. Des Voeux Road, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    4. Harbour, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

     

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    Stay connected with Rainbow, find more inspiration at:

    Instagram: @rainb.w

    Facebook: @rainbw.art

    Youtube: @rainbw

    Subscribe to the email list for more tips and insights into the art process.

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    5. 6PM, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    6. Light Rail, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W 

    7. Alleyway, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

     

    Meet the artist: RAINB.W (Rainbow)

    RAINB.W (Rainbow) is an artist based in Hong Kong. Among the various mediums that Rainbow works with, she found particular interest in the art of watercolor early on in her artistic career. Appreciating its fluid, flowing properties, it is “a medium that exudes life, movement, one that can never be fully controlled yet wholly beautiful in its nature”. Her intrigue with this form thus began her journey in painting watercolor nightscapes and city streets, embarking on the challenge of this unlikely pairing — soft and transparent watercolors, with dark and high contrasting nightscapes of the city.

    8. Purple City, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    9. A Familiar Place, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    To See the World with Wonder through Art and Painting

    Over the years, Rainbow has created a number of series and collections exploring light and color on the depiction of environments and spaces. Painting has become the medium through which she ventured to see the world around with wonder; to see the world in all its glorious beauty and serenity, with awe.

    In the last decade, Rainbow’s work has been exhibited and collected both locally in Hong Kong and internationally across the world. She has been featured in South China Morning Post, ViuTV, Vogue Hong Kong, RTHK, Localiiz, MingPao. Rainbow’s paintings have been exhibited in Wan Fung Art Gallery, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, PMQ, Gallery by the Harbour, Hong Kong Arts Collective, The Affordable Art Fair, Asia Contemporary Art Show and many more.

    10. Pearl of Orient, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    11. Like Stars, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    12. Emerald, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    13. Memory Lane, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    14. Serene, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    Learn more about Rainbow's Art Practice

    Rainbow's Original Paintings here.

    Limited Edition Signed Art Prints here.

    Subscribe to the email list for more details and insights into the art process.

    15. Cityscape Corners, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    16. Before Evening no.1, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    17. Silent, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    18. Neon City, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    19. Neon City no.2, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

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    Stay connected with Rainbow, find more inspiration at:

    Instagram: @rainb.w

    Facebook: @rainbw.art

    Youtube: @rainbw

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    20. Before Evening no.2, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    21. Wan Chai at Night, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    22. Argyle Street, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    Full Lesson: Step by Step Cityscape Class

    If you are interested in learning how to to draw and paint a watercolor cityscape, you might enjoy this online class. This is a step by step breakdown into the specific techniques I use in watercolor to paint the beautiful lights of the city streets at night. I will go into the details from start to finish, the things I use, the steps I take in how I painting this specific watercolor painting.

    Watch the introduction video here.

    Watch the introduction video here.

    With my own journey in painting night cityscapes— usually using high contrast to create a “glowing” effect—I've always wanted to share with others what that process is like, to show the versatility of this medium and that yes, this is also possible with watercolor (not just on canvas with acrylics!)

    23. Western District, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    24. Pearl of Orient no.12, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    25. Pearl of Orient no.9, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    Painting in watercolor is quite different from painting on canvas. There is an unpredictability to it because of the way water moves and flows. The textures of the water makes up for the details. Perhaps thats what makes it beautiful.

    27. Quarry Bay, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    28. Temple Street, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    29. Before Dawn, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    30. Pearl of Orient no.11, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

    31. D'Aguilar Street, Watercolor on paper, by RAINB.W

     

    Take a Look into the City Painting Process

    If you are curious to see my art process, I share a video with details of the step by step process here on youtube.

     

     

    More details about where to find my artworks:

    Rainbow's Original Paintings here.

    Limited Edition Signed Art Prints here.

    Subscribe to the email list for more tips and insights into the art process.