plate no. 7327

Banks Peninsula Hills

Rita Angus, 1933

oilRegionalismlandscapemountainshillsskylandscapeclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex landscapes into geometric shapes and use a limited color palette to create depth and atmosphere. Students will also learn about layering washes and creating subtle value changes.

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 of the mountains and hills, paying attention to their overlapping forms.
step 02
Mix a light blue wash for the sky and apply it evenly, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 03
Using a slightly darker blue wash, begin to define the shadows on the mountains, working from top to bottom.
step 04
Mix a beige or light brown wash and apply it to the sunlit areas of the hills, blending the edges with the blue shadows.
step 05
Add a second layer of blue to deepen the shadows and create more contrast.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add small details, such as the suggestion of trees or rocks on the mountains.
step 07
Evaluate the overall balance of the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the values or colors.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix cerulean blue with white for the sky and lighter mountain shadows. Use raw umber with a touch of blue for the warmer hill areas. Add a touch of Payne's gray to deepen shadows.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·layering
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the washes.
→Using too much water and causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
→Making the colors too saturated and losing the subtle atmospheric effect.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (cerulean blue, raw umber, titanium white, payne's gray, yellow ochre)
·round watercolor brushes (sizes #4, #8)
·palette for mixing paints
·water container
·paper towels
·masking tape
·drawing pencil

optional

·kneaded eraser
·ruler
·watercolor pencils

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure that the colors blend smoothly. Experiment with different brands of watercolor paints to find the ones you prefer.

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