plate no. 9012

The cascades of the Una river

Alfred Freddy Krupa, 2007

watercolorImpressionismlandscapewaterfallriverrockslandscapeskytrees

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in layering watercolor washes to create depth and atmosphere. Students will learn to control the wetness of their brush and paper to achieve soft edges and blended colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, waterfall, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue to the sky area, allowing it to blend with the white of the paper.
step 03
Mix a light green wash and apply it to the distant hills and the rocks on either side of the waterfall.
step 04
Add a slightly darker green wash to the shadows on the rocks, creating depth.
step 05
Use a clean, damp brush to lift some of the color from the waterfall area, creating highlights.
step 06
Mix a blue-green wash and apply it to the water in the foreground, using horizontal strokes.
step 07
Add darker blue accents to the water to create ripples and movement.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely, then add final details with a fine-tipped brush.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix greens by blending sap green with yellow ochre or raw umber. Vary the intensity of blues by diluting with water.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·watercolor washes
·lifting color
·dry brush
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
→Using too much water, causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
→Not allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next.
→Losing the white of the paper, resulting in a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (cerulean blue, sap green, raw umber, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·round watercolor brushes (sizes #4, #8)
·water container
·palette
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle

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

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