plate no. 1514

The Fence

Adolf Hitler, 1909

watercolorImpressionismhistory paintingtreesfencelandscapegrasssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating texture with dry brush techniques. It also provides practice in depicting perspective and creating a sense of depth in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, fence, and horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and burnt sienna to the sky area.
step 03
Mix a pale green wash for the foreground and apply it loosely, allowing for variations in tone.
step 04
Begin layering washes of brown and grey to define the trees and fence, building up darker tones gradually.
step 05
Use a dry brush technique with darker browns and blacks to add texture to the tree branches and fence posts.
step 06
Add subtle hints of green and blue to the trees to suggest foliage.
step 07
Refine the details of the fence and trees, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details in the grass and sky.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve various browns by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and ivory black.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·layering washes
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, leading to a stiff and unnatural look.
→Using too much water, causing the colors to become muddy.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before applying subsequent layers.