Skies and Silhouetted Landscapes

Wash Paint Technique

Lesson Summery

In this lesson, students will be painting skies by applying a wash painting technique. They will practice two types of wash painting techniques; a graded wash and a variegated wash. Many artists use washes to paint skies. It can create the illusion of depth and distance in a landscape painting.

Lesson Objectives

Paint skies to evoke a specific human emotion.
Understand how colors effects feelings.
Learn how to paint skies using a wash painting technique.
Practice applying graded washes and variegated washes.

About Wash Painting

Many artists use a wash painting technique to paint skies. When applied effectively, it can create the illusion of depth and distance in a landscape painting.

Guiding Questions

What is an unusual color you’ve seen the sky turn into?
What colour is the sky when it’s sunny, cloudy, foggy or polluted?
How do you feel when you see the sky in a particular color?
What are some different types of landscapes you can think of painting? e.g. forests, mountains, the sea, cityscapes and etc.

Different Types of Washes

To practice wash painting, you will need to tilt your art board at an angle and have a bucket of clean water ready. You will practice two types of wash painting techniques: a graded wash and a variegated wash. Using a wide flat brush, adjust your paint load accordingly by adding water to your paint. Practice making some graded and variegated washes on a piece of scrap paper before working on your actual artwork.

Graded Wash

A graded wash incorporates a gradual change in the intensity of color. The wash begins with a more concentrated amount of paint at the top. As the wash moves down the paper, water is added to gradually lighten the paint.

One Color Sky: As you observe the sky in this landscape, you will see that the colors are most intense at the top and gradually lessen closer to the horizon. A graded wash can emulate this effect well.

One Color Sky

As you observe the sky in this landscape, you will see that the colors are most intense at the top and gradually lessen closer to the horizon. A graded wash can emulate this effect well.

Variegated Wash

A variegated wash gradually shifts from one color to another, with the two colors combining where they meet. This type of wash works best when painted directly on wet paper (wet on wet).

Two Color Sky

In this landscape, you can see the color of the sky gradually change from a deep purple at the top into a bright yellow near the horizon.

What You’ll Need

Gouache or Watercolor Paint
Sketchbook
Wide Flat Paint Brushes
Round Brushes
Paint bucket and water
Masking tape
Paper towels
Reference Images

Reference Images

Wash Painting Process

Setup: Keep your painting board tilted at an angle and ensure your water is clean.
Graded Wash: Using a large flat brush, begin by painting a stroke of color across the top of the page. Move the brush across the canvas, having one brush stroke touch directly beneath the other. As you progress down the canvas, dilute the wash until it becomes almost white.
Variegated Wash: Near the middle of the wash, rinse your brush and pick up a second color and continue the gradation. The angle of your board will shift the wash from one color into the other.
Dry: Allow the paint to dry.
Silhouetted Landscapes: Illustrate a black silhouetted landscape using a thin round brush or markers. You may illustrate scenes such as mountains, lakes, forests, or rivers, as you feel is appropriate for each of the seasons. You are also free to incorporate other elements such as animals or people.

Painting Tips

Be careful not to “overwork” the paper, as it may peel.
While you can control your washes with an angled surface or a careful brush stroke, there is something wonderful that happens as you relax some control and allow the paint to do the work for you.

Terminology

Wash Painting – A painting technique in which paint is diluted and applied as a semi-transparent layer of color.

Gradation – A gradual change from one tone or color into another tone or color.

Dilute – To make liquid paint thinner or lighter by adding water to it.

Silhouette – The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.

Wet on Wet – A painting technique in which wash paint is applied onto a wet surface.

Horizon – The line at which the earth's surface and the sky appear to meet.

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