plate no. 1230
Les trois chevaux
Jean Hugo, 1975
some experience helpful
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students will learn to create depth using color and size variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape, trees, and animals.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light purple wash.
- step 03
Fill in the background hills with dark green.
- step 04
Paint the green pasture, varying the shades slightly.
- step 05
Add the tree trunks and branches with dark brown or black.
- step 06
Paint the foliage with a mix of greens and grays, using a stippling technique.
- step 07
Add the horses and cow with simplified shapes and colors.
- step 08
Add the yellow foliage in the foreground.
color palette
primary · light green · dark green · purple · brown
secondary · yellow · black · white
Mix light green by combining yellow and green. Create the purple sky by mixing red and blue with white. Vary the greens by adding small amounts of brown or yellow.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·stippling
- ·simplified shapes
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes
- →Using too many colors
- →Not varying the greens enough
- →Making the animals too detailed
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·masking tape
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Use a heavier weight watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Consider using masking tape to create a clean border.
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