«Waiting for the Date» is part of my ongoing series Other Times, inspired by old black-and-white photographs. This scene immediately caught my attention for the striking contrast between the rough, weathered textures of the old façade and the elegance and cleanliness of the women’s dresses. Bathed in the intense afternoon sunlight of what feels like the 1950s, the setting amplifies the play of light and shadow.

Story Behind the Painting

This is a scene that draws the viewer in, inviting them to become part of that street. The women are dressed up for an evening out, clearly waiting for their dates. Who will arrive to pick them up? Will they come walking, driving… or perhaps on Vespas? The women exchange glances and share a quiet conversation—possibly about the men they are expecting.

The tension between anticipation and stillness creates an intimate yet cinematic atmosphere, encouraging the viewer to imagine the story beyond the frame.

Materials

📐 Size: 36 × 51 cm
🔲 Format: Portrait
📄 Paper: Baohong Master Choice, 300g, cold press (fine grain)
🎨 Watercolors: Schmincke Horadam
📅 Date: August 2025
🎨 Palette:
Cool tones balanced with ochres in the wall and warm sienna/orange skin tones. Cobalt blue, Violet, Malva, burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre, sepia, and light touches of alizarine crimson for the dresses.

Artistic Process

For this painting, I built up the façade with multiple layers to achieve the distressed textures of peeling paint, dirt, and age. Techniques included dry brush, splattering, and occasional sponge work.

I paid special attention to the contrast between the saturated, weathered wall and the delicate, almost untouched whites of the dresses, adding only the faintest, most transparent touches of color.

The palette leans toward cool tones, balanced by warm ochres in the wall and sienna/orange tones in the women’s skin. The composition finds equilibrium through vertical lines (wall edges, drainpipes) and horizontal lines (steps, cables). This structure, together with the tonal contrast, defines the focal point—created by the triangular interplay between the figures, the steps, and the lit section of the wall.

Final Thoughts

his was not an easy painting where everything felt clear from the start. I had doubts about tones and finishes, and it became a bit of a “battle” with the subject. But in the end, I am satisfied with the result. The struggle, in this case, was worth it.

You can explore the rest of my watercolor collection by clicking the link below.

🔗 View My Portfolio