plate no. 3805

Solomon’s Pools, near Jerusalem, looking towards Dead Sea

oilRomanticismlandscapelandscapemountainswaterskyrockshills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in watercolor layering and atmospheric perspective to create depth. It will also teach how to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values.

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 of the mountains, water, and foreground rocks.
step 02
Apply a light wash of blue and violet to the sky, allowing it to blend softly.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains with diluted washes of pink, brown, and violet, creating a sense of distance.
step 04
Add a light wash of yellow and ochre to the sunlit hill.
step 05
Paint the water with shades of blue and gray, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 06
Layer darker values of brown, green, and violet to the foreground rocks and vegetation.
step 07
Add details and texture to the rocks using dry brush techniques.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final touches, such as the birds in the sky.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · violet · raw umber

Mix blues and violets for the sky and distant mountains. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the sunlit areas. Create muted greens by mixing blue and yellow ochre.

techniques