plate no. 1902

Chestnut trees in the autumn in Antagnes, Switzerland

Hubertine Heijermans, 1977

watercolor, paperNaturalismsketch and studytreesautumnfoliagelandscapebranchesnature

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and layering techniques to create depth and texture. It also encourages observation of natural forms and color variations in foliage.

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 of the trees and branches, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and green watercolor to the foliage areas, allowing colors to blend and bleed.
step 03
Add warmer tones like burnt sienna and orange to suggest autumn colors, focusing on areas where leaves are denser.
step 04
Use a slightly darker mix of brown and black to define the tree trunks and branches, varying the pressure to create different line weights.
step 05
Layer more concentrated washes of color to build depth and create shadows within the foliage.
step 06
Introduce small touches of blue and purple to add coolness and variation to the greens.
step 07
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the tree trunks and foliage.
step 08
Lift color with a clean, damp brush to create highlights and soften edges.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · orange

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and sap green. Achieve browns by mixing burnt sienna and raw umber. Use diluted blue sparingly for shadows and cool tones.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, spontaneous feel.
→Using too much water, which can lead to uncontrolled blooms and washes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the importance of negative space to define the shapes of the trees.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (yellow ochre, sap green, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes #4, #8, #12)
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·Masking fluid
·Palette knife
·Spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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