Edinburgh Close beneath Cloudy Skies

Wet stone steps drop between Edinburgh walls beneath a cool, clouded sky. Old doors, iron lamps and blank hanging boards break up the close, while a glimpse of the castle appears beyond the darker passage. Paving stones shine in uneven patches, and small plants soften the edges near the upper landing.

The stairway is the clearest route through the picture, with each step giving a short horizontal line. Build the large stone walls from their pale joints and darker corners, then place the doors as separate blocks of colour. The distant castle is small but useful once the opening at the top is formed. Keep the wet paving for later and match the brightest reflections one at a time.