plate no. 3245

Eastern Road, Turramurra

Grace Cossington Smith, 1926

oilCubismlandscaperoadtreeslandscapeskyhillscart

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes into geometric shapes and use color to define form and create depth. It also provides practice in creating a sense of perspective through converging lines and diminishing scale.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road's perspective and the placement of major elements like trees and the cart.
step 02
Divide the scene into simplified geometric shapes, paying attention to the angles and planes of the landscape.
step 03
Begin with a light wash of color for the sky, gradually building up the darker tones.
step 04
Paint the road using a range of muted colors, varying the tones to suggest depth and form.
step 05
Add the trees and foliage, using darker greens and blues to create shadows and volume.
step 06
Paint the buildings and hills in the background, simplifying their forms and using lighter colors to suggest distance.
step 07
Add the cart and figure, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · green · grey · purple

secondary · red · brown · yellow

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·flat wash
·geometric abstraction
·linear perspective
·color blocking
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the shapes
→Inaccurate perspective
→Muddying the colors
→Ignoring the value structure

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper 140lb
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure vibrant colors. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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