plate no. 3235

New England Village

Maurice Prendergast, 1919

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismlandscapehousesfiguresgardentreesvillagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes.

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 houses, figures, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Begin with a light wash of color to establish the base tones for the sky, ground, and buildings.
step 04
Layer in darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 05
Add details to the houses, such as windows, doors, and rooflines.
step 06
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on capturing their gestures.
step 07
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the trees, bushes, and flowers.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Vary the intensity of colors by adding white or complementary colors.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brush
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial washes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·water container
·palette
·masking tape
·sketching pencil

optional

·palette knife
·watercolor pencils
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve a variety of textures.

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