plate no. 9121

Camels at Damascus

pencil, watercolor, paperOrientalismanimal paintingcamelsdesertanimalslandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes and layering, as well as understanding animal anatomy and depicting light and shadow on organic forms.

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 and proportions of the camels and the landscape.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted ochre and burnt sienna for the sky and ground.
step 03
Begin layering washes on the camels, starting with the lightest areas and gradually building up darker tones.
step 04
Use a slightly drier brush to create texture on the camels' fur and the ground.
step 05
Add details to the saddles and other equipment, paying attention to the shapes and shadows.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the camels' eyes and the texture of the sand.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · ivory black · white

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine for the darker camel tones. Use yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna for the sand. Dilute colors significantly for washes.

techniques