plate no. 4403
Mosman's Bay
Julian Ashton, 1888
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. Students can develop skills in layering washes and using soft edges to create depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the building, shoreline, and distant hills.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and grey for the sky, allowing it to blend softly.
- step 03
Paint the distant hills with a slightly darker, muted blue-grey wash to create depth.
- step 04
Establish the water with horizontal washes of blue, grey, and hints of brown, leaving some areas lighter for reflections.
- step 05
Add the building and shoreline with washes of brown, ochre, and grey, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Introduce the figures and boats with small, simplified shapes and details.
- step 07
Develop the foreground rocks with darker tones and dry brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall impression.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray
Mix blues and greys for the sky and water. Use ochre and umber for the buildings and shoreline. Add sienna for warmth in the foreground.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering washes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a less realistic atmosphere.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Making the reflections too sharp and defined.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·masking tape
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·gouache (for highlights)
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varied effects.
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