Tuition

Create Depth with Tone in Watercolour: A Monochrome Woodland Scene | Bill Lupton

15th January 2025 Estimated reading time: 4 mins
From Paint & Create September 2018, the magazine of the SAA

Create Depth with Tone in Watercolour: A Monochrome Woodland Scene - the finished paintingBill Lupton shows you how to paint his favourite woodland walk, demonstrating the importance of tone with watercolour

We may understand the art of colour mixing, and realise that cool colours are usually used in the background of a landscape, but without a wide tonal range a painting can look flat and uninteresting.
So, occasionally, in my regular watercolour classes, we paint a monochrome scene with emphasis on creating depth by using very light and dark shades of the same colour. The exercise works better with a dark colour, which is why I have used SAA Translucent Grey. Why not have a go at this simple woodland scene that enhances our awareness of tone, and see how much depth you can achieve? In case you’re wondering, this particular painting is inspired by our family visits to Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. The tranquility of the woodland offers the opportunity for us to relax as we cycle around the clearly marked circuits, enjoying wilderness in a peaceful environment. It’s a lovely way to unwind on a Sunday afternoon.

Step 1: Tonal scale

Create Depth with Tone in Watercolour: A Monochrome Woodland Scene - create a tonal scale To identify tonal values, I normally use a number scale from 1 to 10: 1 being a very weak mix (lightest), and 10 being a very strong colour (darkest). This grid shows an example of the tonal range achievable using SAA Translucent Grey.

Step 2: Distant elements

CreateStart by wetting the top two thirds of the paper, then immediately add a very weak colour (mix strength 2) to the sky area to create a cloud effect using a 1” Flat brush. Leave some white areas between the clouds. Using the corner of the same brush and a slightly stronger colour (mix strength 3) you can tap in the foliage of the lighter distant trees. While it’s still damp, with the slightly stronger mix of paint, add some more foliage of distant trees among the lighter ones. Again, while still damp, use a Rigger brush to paint the trunks of the tall, thin lighter-coloured trees to the top of the painting with a mix strength of about 2; then add the slightly larger trunks with a mix strength 4. You will see that these are soft edged, giving the impression of being out of focus distant trees and clouds. By now, you can already see a suggestion of depth beginning to develop. Now, let the painting dry.

 

Want to keep reading? This article is exclusive to SAA members, where you’ll also enjoy a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Access to hundreds of step-by-step tutorials and expert tips, on the blog and Video on Demand
  • Discounts on art supplies and materials
  • Entry to exclusive competitions and challenges
  • Subscription to Paint & Create magazine, filled with inspiration

Unlock these perks and more by joining today! Become a member.

Step 3: Getting closer

Use the large brush to paint the floor of the woodland, starting with quite a weak mix at the back (mix strength 3) and adding stronger paint (mix strength 5) towards the bottom of the painting…

This article is for members only. Please login or sign up to continue reading.

Sign up today

Join the SAA today to access articles like this, plus a whole host of other creative content – right at your fingertips…

SIGN UP

Latest Articles

Members Only
Advice & Guidance, Tuition
13 mins
Introduction to Oil Painting: Café Culture | Greg Mason
13th February 2025
Members Only
Art Products, Tuition
6 mins
Watercolour effect POSCA Pen technique | Nicki Saunders
11th February 2025
Members Only
Advice & Guidance, Tuition
6 mins
How to paint tonal values in oils | Sue Williams
10th February 2025