plate no. 3899

Old farmhouse in the Swiss village of Saint-Triphon

Hubertine Heijermans, 2003

watercolor, paperRealismlandscapebuildingslandscapetreesvillagearchitecturestone wall

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering watercolor washes to build depth and creating texture with dry brush techniques. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes by focusing on key shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the buildings and landscape, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and blue for the sky.
step 03
Paint the distant trees with a mix of greens and browns, using a wet-on-wet technique for soft edges.
step 04
Begin layering washes on the buildings, starting with light yellows and adding shadows with grays and browns.
step 05
Use a dry brush technique to create texture on the stone walls and roofs.
step 06
Add details such as windows, doors, and foliage with smaller brushes.
step 07
Strengthen the shadows and add final details to create depth.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the values and colors to achieve a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warm building tones. Combine cerulean blue and yellow ochre for various greens. Use alizarin crimson sparingly to warm up browns and grays.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·color mixing
·perspective drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing transparency.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
→Not simplifying the details of the foliage and stone walls.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper 140lb
·palette
·water container
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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