plate no. 8904
Southern Oaks/Going Home
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and capturing the texture of tree bark and Spanish moss. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals in a landscape setting.
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 basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, the carriage, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the ground area.
- step 03
Paint the sky with a very diluted blue or gray wash.
- step 04
Begin layering washes on the trees, starting with light grays and adding darker tones to create form and shadow.
- step 05
Add the Spanish moss using thin, vertical strokes of diluted gray and green.
- step 06
Paint the carriage and figures with careful attention to proportion and detail.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the trees, carriage, and figures.
- step 08
Evaluate the painting and make any necessary adjustments to values and colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · sap green · payne's gray · titanium white
Mix various shades of gray by combining ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and white. Create greens by mixing yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use diluted washes for the sky and distant areas.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering washes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·negative painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
- →Making the tree trunks too uniform in color and texture
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·masking tape
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·gouache
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various textures.
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