plate no. 3904
Road Near La Côte-Saint-André
Johan Jongkind, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating texture with dry brush techniques. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes and capturing atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, major landforms, and the placement of the trees.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna for the sky and distant hills.
- step 03
Add a slightly darker wash of green and brown to the fields in the foreground.
- step 04
Begin layering washes to define the shapes of the trees, using burnt sienna, raw umber, and touches of yellow.
- step 05
Use a dry brush technique with darker browns and greens to create texture in the foliage and foreground.
- step 06
Add details to the figures and the road with a fine brush and diluted brown paint.
- step 07
Glaze over the sky with diluted blue to create the atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights with white chalk or opaque watercolor.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · burnt sienna · raw umber
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · white (chalk or opaque watercolor)
Mix browns by combining burnt sienna and raw umber. Achieve greens by mixing yellow ochre and sap green. Use diluted ultramarine for the sky.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the watercolor.
- →Making the colors too saturated and losing the muted tones of the original.
- →Not simplifying the details and trying to render every leaf or blade of grass.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints
- ·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·White chalk or opaque watercolor
- ·Palette knife
- ·Masking fluid
Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. A variety of brush sizes will be helpful for different details.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
