plate no. 2287

Fountain in the village of Saint-Triphon, canton Vaud

Hubertine Heijermans, 2003

watercolor, paperRealismcityscapebuildingsfountainflowersvillagestreetwindows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and foliage with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings, fountain, and tree.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the buildings, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 03
Paint the sky with a very diluted blue wash, allowing it to blend softly with the buildings.
step 04
Add the darker values to the buildings and fountain using a mix of burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and a touch of crimson.
step 05
Paint the foliage with varying shades of green, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 06
Add the orange flowers with small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the water in the fountain with light blues and greens, reflecting the sky and surrounding colors.
step 08
Add final details such as window frames, shadows, and reflections.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson

Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for shadows and darker areas. Add a touch of crimson to the umber for richer darks.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·atmospheric perspective
·negative painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
→Making the colors too saturated and not using enough water.
→Not paying attention to perspective and proportions.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints (tubes or pans)
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
·Palette for mixing paints
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve the desired effects.

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