plate no. 5634

Splashed-color Landscape

Chang Dai-chien, 1965

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainslandscapeskycloudsabstractmist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in wet-on-wet watercolor techniques and understanding atmospheric perspective through color and value variations. It also encourages expressive mark-making and simplification of complex forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic mountain shapes and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a diluted wash of gray/black across the entire paper to establish the base tone.
step 03
While the paper is still wet, drop in darker values of gray/black to suggest the shadows and forms of the mountains.
step 04
Add washes of diluted blue and green to create the atmospheric perspective and highlights.
step 05
Use a dry brush technique with darker grays to add texture and definition to the mountain surfaces.
step 06
Splatter diluted blue and green to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 07
Glaze with light washes to soften edges and blend colors.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · gray · black · white

secondary · cerulean blue · viridian green · light blue

Mix grays by combining black and white, adjusting the ratio for different values. Achieve the atmospheric blues and greens by heavily diluting the pigments with water.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush
·splattering
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the washes
→Using too much pigment and creating muddy colors
→Not allowing the paper to dry properly between layers
→Being too literal and not embracing the expressive nature of the style

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·Round watercolor brushes (various sizes)
·Black watercolor paint
·Gray watercolor paint
·Blue watercolor paint
·Green watercolor paint
·Water container
·Palette for mixing paints

optional

·Masking fluid
·Spray bottle
·Palette knife

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve various textures and effects.

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