plate no. 7747

Aerial View Marylebone Gardens

Patrick Procktor, 1986

oilExpressionismlandscapeparktreesbuildingsskylandscapepath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex branching structures with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, trees, and pathways.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and grey for the sky, allowing it to dry completely.
step 03
Paint the distant buildings with a light grey wash, suggesting form without precise detail.
step 04
Begin layering washes of green and brown for the grass and pathways, varying the tones to create depth and shadow.
step 05
Use a smaller brush to add the tree trunks and branches, varying the thickness and direction of the lines.
step 06
Add details to the buildings and structures within the park, such as the gazebo and small buildings.
step 07
Introduce darker values to create shadows and define forms, especially under the trees and along the pathways.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · raw sienna · payne's gray · cadmium red light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and vary the tones by adding brown or grey. Create atmospheric perspective by diluting colors with water and using lighter values for distant objects.

techniques

·wet-on-dry layering
·dry brush
·atmospheric perspective
·varied washes
·line work

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Making the colors too saturated and not achieving a sense of atmospheric depth.
→Creating flat, uniform washes without variation in tone.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before layering.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Watercolor paints
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Flat brush (1 inch)
·Water container
·Palette
·Masking tape
·Pencil

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varied line weights and textures.

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