plate no. 2600

Landscape

Man Ray, 1914

watercolor, paperCubismlandscapelandscapebuildingshillsskytreesvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using watercolor washes to create depth and atmosphere. It also encourages experimentation with abstracting forms while maintaining a sense of place.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills, buildings, and trees, focusing on their relative positions.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue to the sky area, allowing it to blend and vary in tone.
step 03
Paint the hills with diluted washes of brown and ochre, creating subtle variations in color.
step 04
Add the basic shapes of the buildings using light gray washes, paying attention to their angles and perspective.
step 05
Define the buildings and trees with darker lines and details using black or dark brown watercolor.
step 06
Introduce small pops of color, such as red or yellow, to add visual interest.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray

Mix blue with a touch of brown to create the muted sky tones. Use varying amounts of water to control the intensity of the washes. Mix browns and ochres for the hills.

techniques