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home·artworks·The Plain of Esdraelon, from foot of Tabor, with the village of Naim in distance
The Plain of Esdraelon, from foot of Tabor, with the village of Naim in distance by Elizabeth Thompson

plate no. 2488

The Plain of Esdraelon, from foot of Tabor, with the village of Naim in distance

Elizabeth Thompson

oilRomanticismlandscapelandscapeplainshillsvegetationskytrees
some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in layering washes to create depth and atmosphere, as well as using dry brush techniques to suggest texture in the foreground vegetation. Students can also learn to simplify complex landscapes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the horizon line and major shapes (hills, vegetation clusters).

  2. step 02

    Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the sky and distant plains.

  3. step 03

    Add a slightly darker wash of green and brown to the middle ground, suggesting fields.

  4. step 04

    Paint the distant hills with a diluted mix of red and purple.

  5. step 05

    Begin layering darker washes of green, brown, and purple in the foreground to define the vegetation.

  6. step 06

    Use dry brush techniques with a mix of burnt umber and raw sienna to create texture in the grass.

  7. step 07

    Add details to the trees on the right side with a dark brown mix.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and add highlights with lighter washes.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the warm tones of the plains. Combine alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for the purple hills and shadows.

techniques

  • ·wet-on-wet blending
  • ·dry brush
  • ·layering washes
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·color mixing

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details too early.
  • →Using too much water, resulting in uncontrolled washes.
  • →Not allowing layers to dry completely before adding more.
  • →Failing to create enough contrast between foreground and background.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·Watercolor paints
  • ·Watercolor brushes (round and flat)
  • ·Watercolor paper (140lb)
  • ·Palette
  • ·Water container
  • ·Pencil
  • ·Eraser
  • ·Paper towels

optional

  • ·Masking fluid
  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Spray bottle

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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