Loose Rural Landscape in Watercolor

You know what kills most watercolor landscapes? Control. We get so hung up on making everything perfect that we squeeze the life right out of the watercolor. This red barn scene is about the opposite—backing off, letting the medium breathe, and seeing where it wants to take you.

My connection to rural art goes back to my years living in Suffolk, Virginia, where it seemed like there was a cow pasture and red barn at every stop sign. I even tried my hand at plein air painting there—burned through ten tanks of gas for two sketches and about a hundred mosquito bites. (That story’s for another post!)

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Recommended Watercolor Materials

• Holbein Professional Watercolor Paints – 8 Essential Hues
  Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Neutral Tint, Burnt Sienna
• Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper – 140lb Cold Press
  Buy full sheets and cut into quarter sheets for best value
• Silver Jumbo Wash Brush
  Great coverage, excellent quality for the price
• Princeton Neptune Point Rounds (No. 12 & 6)
  Reliable and affordable detail & wash brushes
• Princeton Neptune Dagger (1/2")
  Versatile size for lines, edges, and detail work
• Masterson Aqua Pro Palette
  Durable, with deep wells for generous mixing space
• Gator Board
  Lightweight, long-lasting painting support board
• Holbein White Gouache
  Optional for highlights and fine details
• Miscellaneous: plastic water containers, paper towels, masking tape

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