plate no. 6538

Lava Gorge at Thingvellir, Autumn

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1947

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainwaterrocksfoliagelandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating texture with dry brush techniques. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve a range of natural tones.

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 of the mountain, water, and foreground rocks.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and purple to the sky and distant mountain.
step 03
Paint the water with vertical strokes of varying blues and purples, allowing for reflections.
step 04
Begin layering washes on the rocks, using browns, grays, and hints of purple.
step 05
Add details to the foreground foliage with reds, oranges, and greens, using a dry brush technique for texture.
step 06
Strengthen the shadows on the rocks and mountain to create depth.
step 07
Add final details to the foliage and reflections in the water.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · violet

Mix blues and crimson for the mountain and water shadows. Combine burnt sienna and yellow ochre for warm rock tones. Use crimson and sienna for the foreground foliage.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more washes.
→Using too much water, resulting in uncontrolled blooms.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (tubes or pans)
·round watercolor brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
·palette for mixing paints
·water container
·paper towels
·masking tape
·sketching pencil

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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