plate no. 8952

Sunset

John Marin, 1922

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapesunsetbuildingsskytreeswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and expressive mark-making to convey atmosphere and form. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into abstract shapes and lines.

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 and composition, focusing on the horizon line and the position of the sun.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow around the sun area.
step 03
Add a red wash to the center of the sun, allowing it to bleed into the yellow.
step 04
Paint the sky area with diluted blues and greens, using loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the horizon line with a darker blue-grey wash.
step 06
Add the suggestion of buildings and landscape elements with simplified shapes and lines, using a mix of greens, blues, and greys.
step 07
Use dry brush techniques to add texture to the foreground and suggest foliage.
step 08
Add final details and accents with darker colors, such as the dark green in the lower foreground.

color palette

primary · yellow · red · blue · green

secondary · grey · orange · brown

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Create various shades of grey by mixing black and white or complementary colors. Dilute colors with water to achieve transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·watercolor washes
·expressive mark-making
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.
→Focusing too much on detail and not enough on the overall composition.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paints
·watercolor brushes (round and flat)
·watercolor paper 140lb
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes and shapes to achieve a variety of marks.

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