plate no. 1670

Small farm on Nistelrode

Piet Mondrian, 1904

gouache, watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismlandscapefarmbuildinglandscapeskytreesroof

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for muted tones, and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms. It also encourages experimentation with layering and blending gouache and watercolor.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light blue for the sky, allowing it to dry.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings and landscape using diluted gouache or watercolor.
step 04
Layer darker tones to define shadows and create depth.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture in the roofs and foliage.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the ground and foreground.
step 07
Add details such as the tree trunk and any other small features.
step 08
Refine the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · sap green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., red and green, blue and orange). Add white or water to lighten values.

techniques

·dry brush
·color layering
·wet-on-dry
·broken color
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a harsh palette.
→Neglecting the importance of value in creating depth and form.
→Making the initial sketch too detailed, hindering the spontaneous brushwork.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Gouache paints
·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·Round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Flat brush (size 6)
·Palette
·Water container
·Pencil

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser

Using a heavier weight paper will prevent buckling when applying wet media. Experiment with different brands of gouache and watercolor to find your preferred consistency and opacity.

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