plate no. 7481
L'Aspiration
Li Chevalier, 2010
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice layering washes and creating atmospheric perspective with limited colors. Students can also learn to suggest forms with minimal detail, focusing on shape and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare a toned surface with a light beige or gray wash.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the hills and the animals.
- step 03
Apply a diluted wash of gray or black to the sky area, allowing it to blend and create soft edges.
- step 04
Add darker washes to define the hills and create shadows, building up layers for depth.
- step 05
Use a drier brush to create texture on the hills and in the foreground.
- step 06
Paint the animals with bold, simplified strokes, focusing on their silhouettes.
- step 07
Add subtle details and splatters to enhance the atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Allow to dry completely.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · titanium white
Mix ivory black with raw umber to create a range of warm grays. Use titanium white sparingly to lighten the values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush
- ·layering washes
- ·splattering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes and losing the transparency.
- →Making the animal figures too detailed.
- →Creating harsh edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Using too much white and losing the tonal harmony.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·ivory black watercolor
- ·raw umber watercolor
- ·water container
- ·palette
- ·masking fluid
optional
- ·payne's gray watercolor
- ·titanium white gouache
- ·spray bottle
Experiment with different types of watercolor paper to achieve various textures. Use masking fluid to preserve highlights.
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