Question

Landscape Painting: Prepare a landscape painting of any one of the following subjects on the given drawing sheet in a rectangle of 20 cm × 15 cm. The medium of the painting should be watercolour, poster colour or any other medium. Selection of the medium and the composition of the landscape should be beautiful and attractive: (i) A temple with two huts near a pond; (ii) Two-three huts with some trees; (iii) Any village scene.
Keep in view the following points while painting: (a) Correct drawing and perspective - 10 marks; (b) Suitable composition - 5 marks; (c) Selection and use of appropriate and amiable colours - 10 marks; (d) Suitable drawing and depiction of atmosphere - 5 marks.

Answer 1

Step 1: Choose the subject and medium:
Select one out of the three subjects: a temple with two huts near a pond, two or three huts with trees, or any village scene. Use watercolour, poster colour or another medium that you control well.

Step 2: Prepare the sheet:
Draw a rectangle of 20 cm × 15 cm with a ruler. Divide it into sky, middle ground and foreground. Keep the horizon line a little above or below the middle, but not exactly in the middle.

Step 3: Plan the composition for each subject:
(i) Temple with two huts near a pond: place the temple on one side at the middle distance, the two huts on the other side, and the pond in the foreground. (ii) Two or three huts with trees: group the huts on one side, place tall trees behind and beside them, and add a path in front. (iii) Village scene: show a lane, a well or cattle, a few huts and trees, and a small figure to give life.

Step 4: Correct drawing and perspective:
Make the near objects larger, more detailed and darker. Make the far objects smaller, lighter and simpler. Let the path or the pond edge lead the eye inwards. Keep the walls and roofs at correct angles.

Step 5: Apply the colours:
Paint the sky first with a light blue wash and pale clouds. Use light green and blue-green for far trees, and stronger greens for near trees. Paint the huts in earthy browns and yellows and the pond in soft blue with reflections.

Step 6: Show the atmosphere:
Show morning or evening light with a soft sky and long shadows. Use paler, bluish tones for the far distance to give a feeling of air and space.

Step 7: How the marks are earned:
Correct drawing and perspective carry 10 marks. A suitable composition carries 5. Selection and use of appropriate and pleasing colours carry 10. Drawing and depiction of atmosphere carry 5.

Step 8: Common mistakes:
A wrong size of the rectangle, all objects of equal size, harsh colours, a blank sky or foreground, and messy brush work lose marks.

Final Answer:
Paint one landscape inside the 20 cm × 15 cm rectangle with correct perspective, a balanced layout, pleasing colours and a clear atmosphere.