plate no. 7257
Waterlilies
Rita Angus, 1950
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering watercolor washes and creating smooth gradations of color. It also provides practice in observing and rendering organic shapes and forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outlines of the water lilies and lily pads, paying attention to their overlapping arrangement.
- step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted brown and green to the background, creating a subtle sense of depth.
- step 03
Begin layering washes of green on the lily pads, gradually building up the color and adding shadows.
- step 04
Paint the flowers with delicate washes of pink, red, and white, focusing on the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Add details to the flowers, such as the yellow stamens and the veins on the petals.
- step 06
Use darker shades of brown and green to define the shadows and create contrast.
- step 07
Glaze the background with a thin wash of color to unify the composition.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · light green · rose madder · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · white · sap green
Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and sap green, and create various shades of pink by mixing rose madder with white. Use burnt umber to create darker shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·watercolor washes
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·wet-on-dry
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the watercolor.
- →Using too much water and causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
- →Failing to create sufficient contrast between the light and dark areas.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints (various greens, pinks, yellows, browns)
- ·Watercolor paper (140lb cold press)
- ·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
- ·Palette for mixing paints
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Spray bottle
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different brands and colors to find your favorites.
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