Painting a mountain landscape

The mountain landscape is, without doubt, one of the most interesting subjects that can be done in watercolour. It stands apart from other subjects, like the figure and still life, for it does not require a great deal of rigour in its proportions and this permits more liberty in the treatment of the technique. However, it still cannot be said that it is easy. With a little practice, work can be done similar to that shown here. Above all, the enthusiast must learn to alternate the techniques on dry or wet.

Structure of the landscape

The first step is to plan the basic structure of the landscape. To start off, a good sketch must always be made. Only when the drawing has been done colour can be used. Before starting to paint, it is necessary to do the drawing of the landscape. The clouds do not have to be drawn. They are painted directly above all when the forms are abstract or they are done starting from gradations. In the mountain landscape the terrain requires more attention than the clouds, as the forms are very complicated and space has to be reserved for light tones or luminous whites. The first shading, as it is usual in any watercolour work, must always reserve the clearest and most luminous zones.

When the background is dry, a very luminous grey wash is painted. When the most transparent colours and tones have been painted, the first contrasts outline the most luminous zones. It is now that the dark tones and densest contrasts have to be applied in this way the most luminous reserves take on the brightest and presence necessary from the start.

The mountain landscape means that multiple techniques which make evident the transparency and different textures, are necessary, on dry and wet backgrounds to blend the tones.

When painting outdoors, it is good to choose the hours when nature reveals itself in all its splendour. With a little luck one can be present during those marvellous moments when the sky takes on an almost unreal hue. The colours used are medium to obtain the effects of the mountain and Kent paper 250 grams and soft sable hair brushes No. 8, 3 and 2.