Coastal Scene by Charles Demuth

plate no. 8892

Coastal Scene

Charles Demuth, 1915

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapecoastalbuildingshillsskywater

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning loose watercolor techniques and how to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely. Students will practice color mixing and layering washes to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

3

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

3

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills, buildings, and coastline.
step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow to the sky area.
step 03
Mix a pale green and wash the hillside, allowing it to blend with the sky.
step 04
Add darker greens and blues to the upper hill to create depth.
step 05
Use a diluted blue to define the shapes of the buildings and shadows.
step 06
Introduce touches of red and brown to the buildings and foreground.
step 07
Add details with a fine brush, using short, broken strokes.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and add final touches of dark blue for shadows and definition.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna

Mix greens from blue and yellow. Dilute colors heavily for transparent washes. Use red and blue sparingly to create muted purples and browns.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting with too much detail.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Applying washes too thickly.
→Losing the transparency of the watercolor.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
·water container
·palette
·masking tape
·sketching pencil

optional

·palette knife
·watercolor pencils

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying effects.

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