plate no. 7284

Country Road, New Hampshire

Maurice Prendergast, 1913

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismlandscapehousestreeslandscaperoadskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and layering colors to create depth and texture. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive brushwork.

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 of the houses, road, and hills.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, allowing it to blend and create variations.
step 03
Paint the background hills with a mix of greens and blues, using loose washes.
step 04
Layer in the foliage using yellows, oranges, and greens, dabbing the brush to create texture.
step 05
Add the houses with simplified shapes and colors, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Paint the road with a mix of yellows and browns, suggesting the curves and perspective.
step 07
Add details like tree trunks and branches with thin brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the colors and values, adding darker accents where needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Achieve warm browns by mixing burnt sienna and a touch of blue. Vary the intensity of colors by adding water.

techniques