plate no. 2240

Obelisk

Jamie Wyeth, 1976

watercolor, paperContemporary Realismlandscapebuildinglandscapeoceanskyhousesisland

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. It also provides practice in using a limited color palette to create a sense of mood and depth.

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: the obelisk, the island, the houses, and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue and purple to the sky, allowing it to blend and create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Paint the distant island with a mix of browns and greens, using darker values towards the base and lighter values towards the top to create depth.
step 04
Block in the basic shapes of the houses with light washes of white, yellow, and brown, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Paint the obelisk with a dark, muted color, using subtle variations in value to suggest form and texture.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as the fence and the grass, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the houses and the obelisk, adding shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the birds in the sky, to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones for the obelisk. Use white to lighten the blues and browns for the sky and houses. Yellow ochre and raw sienna can be used to add warmth to the houses and the island.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Using too many colors, which can create a muddy and confusing effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast, which can make the painting look flat and lifeless.
→Not simplifying the shapes of the houses and the obelisk, which can make the painting look cluttered and overwhelming.