plate no. 4049

San Juan

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainsskysunbuildingslandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating atmospheric perspective. They will also learn how to simplify complex forms and capture the essence of a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 5 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and buildings.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue to the sky, leaving space for the sun.
step 03
Paint the sun with yellow and red, blending the colors outwards.
step 04
Layer washes of blue, green, and brown to create the mountains, varying the intensity of the colors to create depth.
step 05
Add darker washes to the foreground to create shadows and define the shapes of the buildings and trees.
step 06
Use a smaller brush to add details to the buildings and trees.
step 07
Allow each layer to dry partially before adding the next to avoid muddying the colors.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · burnt umber · sap green

Mix blues and browns for mountain shadows; mix red and yellow for the sun; dilute colors with water for lighter washes.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the washes.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not allowing each layer to dry partially before adding the next.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·masking tape
·paper towels

optional

·palette knife
·spray bottle
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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