plate no. 2585

Capri

graphite, watercolor, gouache, paperRealismlandscapeseamountainsrocksskyfiguresvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering watercolor washes to create depth and form. It also provides practice in rendering complex rock formations and distant landscapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, sea, and rock formations.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue for the sky, blending in hints of pink and orange for the clouds.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with a mix of orange, brown, and red, using a lighter value for areas further away.
step 04
Add the base color for the sea using a blend of blues, varying the intensity to suggest depth.
step 05
Begin layering darker blues and grays on the rocks, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Paint the foreground vegetation with greens and browns, adding details like cacti and small plants.
step 07
Add the figures and animals in the lower left corner with dark washes.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to the rocks and vegetation to create texture and dimension.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green · ivory black

Mix blues with browns and blacks for the rocks. Use orange and sienna for the mountains, diluting with water for lighter tones. Achieve the sky colors by mixing blue with small amounts of orange and pink.

techniques