Landscape Painting

Part I: Monochromatic Atmospheric Perspective Landscape Painting

Objective: Create 1 landscape study in Watercolor that demonstrates atmospheric perspecitve.  This study will be achieved with a constrained color pallet. 

Directions  (Part 1):

1. Stretch watercolor paper.
2. Establish color pallet.  For the first study we will use 1 primary, 1 complimentary and the color black.  For the second study our color pallet will be open ended.  Meaning you are free to experiment with a range of colors. 
3. Begin your painting with the Wet on Wet technique.  Establish a soft focus blurring effect of blending colors while using a flat brush.  Your initial application of color should be light in value.
4. Allow the first application of color to fully dry.  Next, glaze a new application of color over the previous.  Each consecutive glaze should get darker while gradually establishing contrast. 
5. Towards the end of the project start using your round brush for smaller details such as water ripples, tree branches, etc.  The final application of color should be at its strongest range of vaule.

Rubrics:

1. Glazing: Final product should demonstrate multiple applications of glazing.
2. Atmospheric Perspective: Final product should demonstrate a range of values/contrast to establish the illusion of space.
3. Overlapping Shapes: Demonstrate multiple layers of overlapping forms.
4. Hue/Saturation: Hue and Saturation should be greyed out in the background and gradually strengthened as forms approach the foreground.
5. Diminishing size: Shapes such as trees should gradually get smaller as they reach into the background.

Watercolor by Dan Dressler

Part II : Full Color Landscape Painting with Water Reflection

Objective: Create a watercolor study that depicts an atmospheric perspective landscape with water and water reflection.

Directions:

1. Stretch a sheet of watercolor paper.
2. Establish color pallet.  Consider a range of warm and cool colors. See video below for color suggestions.
3. Start the painting with a wet on wet technique.  Apply a strong saturation of color.  Once dry, the color will soften. Cooler / grey colors should be applied to the background, while warmer colors should be applied to the foreground.
   
4. To contrast the soft blurred application of paint, apply hard edged applications of paint.  Consider increasing the color saturation and value for darker patches of contrast.
   

Rubrics:

1. Demonstrate atmospheric perspective: (a) overlapping forms, (b) objects getting smaller towards the background, (c) diminishing detail and color saturation, (d) cool/grey colors in the background, (e) warm colors in the foreground
   
2. Evidence of glazing
   
3. Contrast between soft and crisp applications of paint.
   
4. Craft: Clean and even boarders. Even application of paint with minimal blotching of color.