plate no. 2545

Surroundings of Vichy, house near the water

ink, watercolor, paperRealismsketch and studyhousetreeswaterpathfoliagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, watercolor washes, and creating depth through layering. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes 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 house, trees, and path, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted brown or grey watercolor to the entire paper to create an aged look.
step 03
Using a light green wash, paint the foliage and grassy areas, varying the intensity of the green.
step 04
Mix a slightly darker brown and paint the roof of the house, adding texture with short, broken strokes.
step 05
Use a thin brush and dark brown ink to outline the main shapes and add details to the trees and house.
step 06
Add shadows to the trees and house with a darker wash of brown or grey.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add details to the foliage and grass with short, quick strokes.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights with a clean, damp brush to lift some of the color.

color palette

primary · raw umber · sap green · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix raw umber with water for the initial washes. Add a touch of black to raw umber for darker shadows. Mix sap green with yellow ochre for variations in foliage color.

techniques