plate no. 0893
Waipara Gorge, North Canterbury
Rita Angus, 1939
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, hills, and water.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, leaving areas for clouds.
- step 03
Paint the distant mountains with a diluted brown/ochre mix.
- step 04
Layer washes of green and brown for the hills, varying the intensity.
- step 05
Add details to the mountains, such as shadows and rocky textures.
- step 06
Paint the water with a mix of blue and green, creating subtle variations.
- step 07
Add final details like small trees and highlights to the landscape.
- step 08
Refine edges and add shadows to enhance depth.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
secondary · viridian green · raw umber
Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the earth tones. Add a touch of blue or umber to create shadows. Use plenty of water to achieve transparent washes.
techniques
- ·flat wash
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·dry brush (for mountain texture)
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the washes, leading to muddy colors.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in opaque areas.
- →Not planning the composition beforehand.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints (tubes or pans)
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
- ·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
- ·Palette for mixing paints
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Spray bottle
Use artist-grade watercolor paints for best results. Stretch the watercolor paper to prevent buckling.
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