plate no. 5609
Chalk Paths
Eric Ravilious, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and practicing precise linear details. It also offers practice in rendering subtle tonal variations within a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills and paths, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
- step 03
Apply a thin wash of light gray or beige to the sky area.
- step 04
Begin layering the greens on the hills, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding lighter tones.
- step 05
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the hillsides.
- step 06
Paint the paths with a light beige or off-white, adding subtle shadows to define their form.
- step 07
Add the details of the trees and fence, using a fine brush for precision.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of green by combining sap green, raw umber, and titanium white. Use payne's gray to darken the greens and create shadows. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up some of the green tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linear perspective
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Creating too much contrast and flattening the image.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle tonal variations in the hills.
- →Making the paths too bright and distracting from the rest of the painting.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brushes to find the ones that work best for you.
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