plate no. 8201

Wire

Paul Nash, 1919

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapetreesbarbed wirewardestructionsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering complex linear elements like barbed wire. It also encourages the use of a limited palette to create a cohesive and somber mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main tree and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant smoke with diluted washes of gray and brown.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the foreground mounds with darker values, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin adding details to the tree, using thin lines and varying the pressure to create depth.
step 05
Carefully render the barbed wire, using a fine brush and varying the line weight to suggest perspective.
step 06
Add subtle highlights to the mounds and tree to create form.
step 07
Refine the details in the midground, suggesting the presence of more barbed wire and broken trees.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · payne's gray · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix different proportions of Payne's gray and raw umber to achieve various shades of gray and brown. Use white to lighten the values and create highlights. Burnt sienna can be added in small amounts to warm up the grays.

techniques

·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·linear perspective
·value studies
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Making the barbed wire too uniform and flat.
→Failing to create a strong sense of depth.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·payne's gray watercolor
·raw umber watercolor
·titanium white gouache
·water container
·palette

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Using high-quality watercolor paper is essential for achieving the desired effects. Experiment with different brush sizes to create a variety of line weights.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein