plate no. 4032
Riverside banks
Hélène Guinepied, 1925
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow ochre mixed with a touch of brown for the water and sky areas.
- step 03
Add a second wash, slightly darker, to define the shadows in the water and sky.
- step 04
Begin painting the trees with a mix of burnt umber and black, building up the dark tones in layers.
- step 05
Use dry brush techniques to create texture on the tree bark and foliage.
- step 06
Add details like branches and leaves with a fine brush.
- step 07
Paint the reflections in the water with light, horizontal strokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · black
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix burnt umber and black for the dark tree trunks. Use yellow ochre with a touch of brown for the water and sky. Add ultramarine blue to the sky wash for a cooler tone.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering washes
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering organic forms
- ·creating atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Using too much water and losing control of the washes
- →Making the tree trunks too uniform in color and texture
- →Ignoring the reflections in the water
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
- ·flat brush (size 1/2 inch)
- ·water container
- ·palette
- ·paper towels
- ·pencil
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various textures.
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