
plate no. 4987
David Cox, 1853
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering washes to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing the mood and atmosphere of a landscape.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and sky.
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the foreground rocks.
Add a wash of diluted blue and brown to the mid-ground mountains, creating darker values.
Create the sky with a light blue wash, leaving some areas white for clouds.
Layer washes of gray and blue to build up the mountain forms, focusing on creating depth.
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the rocks and mountains.
Add darker accents with a small brush to define shadows and details.
Soften edges with a clean, damp brush to create atmospheric effects.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · raw umber · payne's gray
Mix blues and browns for the mountain shadows. Use diluted washes for the sky and atmospheric effects. Create grays by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
optional
Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various textures.
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