plate no. 3582
Grace Lake
Franklin Carmichael, 1934
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex landscapes into geometric forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, lake, and islands, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue to the sky area, leaving some areas white for clouds.
- step 03
Begin layering washes of green, blue, and brown to create the different planes of the mountains, starting with the furthest mountains and working forward.
- step 04
Use darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the mountains.
- step 05
Paint the lake with a light blue wash, adding subtle variations in color to suggest reflections and movement.
- step 06
Add the islands with darker greens and browns, and suggest trees with small, vertical strokes.
- step 07
Paint the foreground with lighter washes of brown, yellow, and green, adding subtle details to suggest vegetation.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve the various greens by mixing blue and yellow ochre, adjusting the proportions for different shades. Use raw umber to create muted browns and grays for shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·layering washes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the composition.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the different planes of the landscape.
- →Failing to suggest depth through atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·masking tape
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·watercolor pencils
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
