
plate no. 8028
Winslow Homer, 1897
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor washes, layering, and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the main elements: horizon line, mountains, river, logs, and figures.
Apply a light wash of diluted blue for the sky, leaving areas for clouds.
Paint the distant mountains with a mix of blues and greens, using a wet-on-wet technique for soft edges.
Establish the base color of the river with a blue wash, varying the intensity to suggest depth and movement.
Add the logs with a mix of browns and grays, paying attention to the light and shadow.
Paint the figures with careful attention to proportions and details, using a limited palette of blues, reds, and browns.
Add details to the water, such as reflections and ripples, using darker blues and browns.
Refine the details of the trees and rocks, adding texture and depth with dry brush techniques.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · sap green · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix blues and greens for the mountains and trees. Use diluted browns and blues for the water. Mix browns and reds for the logs and figures.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
optional
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein