plate no. 8932

Rockport, Mass.

Maurice Prendergast, 1923

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismlandscapehouseslandscapefigureshillsskyhorse

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering washes and creating form with color variations. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and apply loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of houses and figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend naturally.
step 03
Paint the hills with a diluted pink/purple wash, varying the intensity for depth.
step 04
Add washes of green for the foliage, using different shades to create texture.
step 05
Paint the houses with their respective colors, adding details like windows and roofs.
step 06
Add figures and the horse using simple shapes and colors.
step 07
Define edges and add details with darker washes, such as shadows and outlines.
step 08
Let each layer dry before adding the next to avoid muddying the colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · rose madder · cerulean blue

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix rose madder and cerulean blue for various purples. Combine yellow ochre and cerulean blue for greens. Dilute colors heavily for transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·layering washes
·dry brush texture
·color mixing
·simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and creating muddy colors.
→Using too much water and losing control of the paint.
→Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more.
→Being too literal and not embracing the loose style.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

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

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

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

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