plate no. 0236
The Sea at the Mouth of the Ebro
M.C. Escher, 1922
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering washes and creating subtle color gradients. It also encourages simplification of a landscape into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and mountain shapes.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of yellow across the area where the sun reflects on the water.
- step 03
Mix a pale blue and wash it over the sky area, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
- step 04
Create a gradient wash of blues and greens for the water, darkest at the bottom.
- step 05
Mix a muted purple and paint the distant mountains with soft edges.
- step 06
Add a thin dark line where the water meets the land.
- step 07
Allow each layer to dry before applying the next to prevent muddiness.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · purple · sap green
Mix greens from blue and yellow. Create muted purples by mixing red and blue with a touch of yellow to dull the color. Achieve lighter tones by adding water.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering washes
- ·creating gradients
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →overworking the washes
- →using too much paint
- →creating harsh lines
- →not allowing layers to dry completely
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·water container
- ·palette
- ·masking tape
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·spray bottle
- ·kneaded eraser
Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying effects.
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