plate no. 6110
Simplon Pass Chalets
John Singer Sargent, 1911
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to create atmospheric perspective and capturing light and shadow with watercolor washes. Recreating this will help students understand how to simplify complex scenes and suggest detail rather than rendering every element precisely.
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 main shapes: mountains, buildings, and the stone wall.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a diluted wash of blues and grays, allowing for soft edges.
- step 03
Apply a light wash of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the foreground, varying the intensity.
- step 04
Paint the mountains with layers of diluted blues and purples, creating depth.
- step 05
Add the buildings using a mix of burnt sienna, raw umber, and touches of blue for shadows.
- step 06
Define the stone wall with individual stones using grays, browns, and whites.
- step 07
Add details like shadows and highlights to the buildings and landscape.
- step 08
Refine edges and add final touches to create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · raw umber · payne's gray · titanium white
Mix blues and browns for the mountain shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the landscape. Add white to create lighter values and atmospheric haze.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush
- ·layering washes
- ·lifting color
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
- →Using too much water, which can lead to uncontrolled blooms.
- →Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more washes.
- →Making the colors too saturated and lacking subtlety.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·masking tape
- ·sketching pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·lifting preparation
- ·spray bottle
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.
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