plate no. 7349

Swiss landscape near Geneva

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1951

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapemountainsfieldstreesskyroad

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth. 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. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
step 02
Block in the sky with diluted washes of blue and gray, suggesting cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the distant mountains with light blues and purples, using lighter values for the snow-capped peaks.
step 04
Paint the background trees and foliage with varying shades of green, using darker values for shadows.
step 05
Block in the fields with green and yellow washes, creating a gradient from light to dark to suggest depth.
step 06
Add the road with a mix of gray and brown, paying attention to the perspective.
step 07
Paint the tree in the foreground, adding details to the branches and leaves.
step 08
Add final details such as the houses, shadows, and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create grays by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·gouache
·watercolor pencils

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure good color absorption. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve various effects.

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