plate no. 0926

Stonehenge

watercolor, paperRomanticismlandscapestonehengelandscapeskycloudsfieldmonument

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing dramatic lighting effects. It will also improve their ability to suggest texture and form with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of Stonehenge and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with diluted washes of blue and gray, creating a sense of depth and storminess.
step 03
Add darker tones to the clouds to create shadows and volume.
step 04
Paint the stones with a mix of grays, browns, and whites, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the stones and the ground.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as small rocks and grass.
step 07
Glaze thin washes of brown and yellow over the ground to unify the composition.
step 08
Add final highlights to the stones and clouds to enhance the dramatic effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker sky tones. Use varying amounts of white to create different shades of gray for the stones and clouds. Yellow ochre can be added to burnt umber for the ground.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Making the stones too uniform in color and texture.
→Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and making the background too sharp.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, payne's gray)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·masking tape
·kneaded eraser