plate no. 0658
Landscape
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: hills, trees, and the path.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and grey for the sky.
- step 03
Paint the distant hills with a diluted blue-grey wash, allowing it to dry.
- step 04
Begin layering washes of brown, ochre, and green for the foreground, building up the path and rocks.
- step 05
Add darker washes to define shadows and create depth in the foreground.
- step 06
Paint the trees using a mix of browns and greens, varying the intensity.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and foreground with a smaller brush, using dry brush technique for texture.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding final details.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · raw umber · sap green · Payne's gray
Mix blues and browns for the sky and distant hills. Use ochre and sienna for the foreground, adding green for foliage. Vary the water-to-paint ratio for different values.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering washes
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
- →Not allowing layers to dry completely before applying the next.
- →Making the foreground too dark, losing the sense of depth.
- →Being too precise with details early on.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.
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