plate no. 0883
Hillside Village
Maurice Prendergast, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering transparent washes and using color to define form rather than relying on precise outlines. It also encourages a more expressive and less literal approach to landscape painting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the houses, trees, and hillside.
- step 02
Begin with a light wash of blue for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft clouds.
- step 03
Apply a light green wash for the distant hills and foreground, leaving some areas white for highlights.
- step 04
Layer in the darker blues and purples for the trees and shadows on the hillside, using broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add the warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) to the trees in the foreground, building up layers of color.
- step 06
Paint the houses with a light wash of white or cream, adding shadows with diluted blues and purples.
- step 07
Define the road with washes of pink, purple, and yellow, creating a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final details and accents with darker colors, such as the tree trunks and window details.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · lemon yellow
secondary · viridian green · purple · burnt sienna
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve purples by blending blues and reds. Use water to dilute colors and create transparent washes.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering washes
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the washes.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
- →Being too precise with the drawing and losing the expressive quality.
- →Not allowing washes to dry completely before layering.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints (tubes or pans)
- ·watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
- ·round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat watercolor brush
- ·water container
- ·palette for mixing colors
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·spray bottle
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying textures.
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