plate no. 2979

Military in a landscape

watercolor, gouacheArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitmilitaryuniformlandscapeskyfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering and capturing textures with dry brush techniques. It also provides practice in portraiture and rendering complex details in clothing and accessories.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the figure and the basic landscape elements.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted colors to establish the overall tones of the background and the figure's skin.
step 03
Begin layering darker washes to define the shadows and contours of the face and uniform.
step 04
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the hat, clothing, and background.
step 05
Paint the details of the uniform, including buttons, trim, and the hat's plume.
step 06
Add highlights with lighter colors or white gouache to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · black · white · brown

secondary · blue · yellow · grey

Mix browns from red, yellow, and black. Achieve skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and white with small amounts of brown or blue for shadows.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·dry brush
·layering
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more
→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Paper towels

optional

·Gouache (white)
·Masking fluid
·Palette knife

Using high-quality watercolor paper will help prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.

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