plate no. 8013

Large wooden barn between Grund and Gstaad, in the Berner Oberland, Switzerland

Hubertine Heijermans, 1980

watercolor, paperRealismlandscapebarnarchitecturelandscapewoodrooffence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering, capturing textures of wood, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in accurately rendering architectural details and linear perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and perspective lines of the barn and surrounding landscape.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the wooden areas, establishing the base tones.
step 03
Layer in darker washes of burnt umber and Payne's gray to define shadows and create depth in the wood grain.
step 04
Paint the roof tiles with a mix of red, orange, and brown, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 05
Add details to the fence and foreground vegetation using a mix of greens, browns, and grays.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the wooden surfaces and roof tiles.
step 07
Glaze with diluted washes to adjust values and unify the composition.
step 08
Add final details such as the door and window frames, and any remaining highlights.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · Payne's gray

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw umber

Mix burnt sienna and yellow ochre for warm wood tones. Use Payne's gray to create shadows and darker areas. Mix cadmium red with burnt sienna and a touch of Payne's gray to achieve the roof color.

techniques