plate no. 5994

Bergsee (A Mountain Lake)

Johannes Itten, 1936

watercolorExpressionismlandscapemountainlaketreesskylandscapebuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and creating depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountain, lake, trees, and building.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 03
Paint the mountain with light washes of yellow and brown, defining the sunlit areas.
step 04
Layer darker washes of blue and gray to create shadows and define the mountain's form.
step 05
Paint the lake with a mix of blue and gray, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 06
Add the trees using a mix of greens and browns, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Paint the building with a dark red-brown, adding subtle details.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the landscape, such as the shoreline and reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · raw sienna · alizarin crimson · payne's gray

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark shadows on the mountain. Use yellow ochre and raw sienna for the sunlit areas. Add alizarin crimson to burnt umber for the building.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·layering washes
·dry brush texture
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding new ones.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Getting the proportions of the mountain wrong.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round watercolor brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

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

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