plate no. 1267

Wilderness A Engedi & Convent of Santa Saba

watercolor, paperRomanticismmarinalandscapearchitecturefiguresmountainsskyriver

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose watercolor washes. Students will also learn to suggest detail rather than rendering it precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, buildings, and figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre across the entire paper.
step 03
While the paper is still damp, add washes of blue and purple to the sky and distant mountains.
step 04
Build up the darker areas of the landscape with washes of burnt umber and Payne's gray.
step 05
Use a slightly drier brush to add texture to the mountains and buildings.
step 06
Define the figures in the foreground with darker values of brown and red.
step 07
Add highlights with a clean, damp brush to lift color.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Payne's gray

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Mix Payne's gray with ultramarine blue for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the buildings and landscape. Add alizarin crimson to burnt umber for the figures.

techniques