plate no. 3264

Autumn afternoon

David Davies, 1926

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesbuildingsskyfieldautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes and layering, as well as capturing the atmospheric perspective of a landscape. It will also provide practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue and yellow for the sky, allowing the colors to blend.
step 03
Paint the distant trees with a diluted green and gray mixture.
step 04
Add a base layer of green and yellow for the field, varying the tones.
step 05
Paint the buildings with a mix of browns, reds, and blues, keeping the values muted.
step 06
Add details to the trees with darker browns, oranges, and yellows, suggesting foliage.
step 07
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the field and trees.
step 08
Add final details and shadows to enhance depth and form.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix blues and yellows to create various greens. Use burnt sienna and raw umber to create browns. Dilute colors with water to achieve lighter tones and washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·layering
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
→Making the colors too saturated and bright.
→Not simplifying the forms and getting bogged down in details.
→Failing to create depth through value changes.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·watercolor pencils
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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