plate no. 9791

Lake Traun

watercolor, paperRomanticismlandscapelakemountainsbuildingsboatsfiguresky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and watercolor layering techniques. They will also learn how to capture reflections and create a sense of depth in a landscape.

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: mountains, buildings, and the shoreline.
step 02
Establish the sky with a diluted wash of blue and violet, leaving some areas for clouds.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with a light purple wash, gradually increasing the saturation as you move forward.
step 04
Apply a darker green wash for the forested mountain, adding details with dry brush strokes.
step 05
Paint the buildings with light washes of ochre and white, adding shadows to define their forms.
step 06
Create the water with horizontal washes of blue, violet, and green, varying the tones to suggest depth.
step 07
Add reflections of the buildings and boats in the water, using slightly darker and blurred versions of their colors.
step 08
Paint the boats and figures with careful attention to detail, using small brushes and precise strokes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix blues and crimson for the purple mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the buildings and boats. Mix greens with blue and yellow ochre for the forested areas.

techniques