plate no. 6662

Granada II

oilExpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapehillsskytreestown

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice loose watercolor washes and layering of colors to create depth. Students can also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and mountains.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, leaving some areas white for clouds.
step 03
Paint the distant hills with a diluted green wash.
step 04
Apply a warm yellow/orange wash to the buildings, varying the intensity for highlights and shadows.
step 05
Use a darker brown/green mix for the foreground hills, adding details like trees and bushes with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the houses in the town with a variety of warm colors, keeping the details simple.
step 07
Add dark accents with a fine brush to define edges and create contrast.
step 08
Allow each layer to dry partially before adding the next to prevent colors from muddying.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the buildings. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky. Vary the green by mixing sap green with yellow ochre or burnt umber.

techniques