This project explores the beauty and charm of the Tuscan landscape which offers a rich palette of colours and textures that lend themselves naturally to artistic interpretation. 

Through layering technique, the painting will reflect the unique interplay of earth tones, soft skies and vibrant greenery and encourage a deeper appreciation for landscape painting as a means of emotional expression. 

You will need:

Surface 

• Arches watercolour paper 300gms cold pressed 

Michael Harding watercolours 

• Sky blue 
• Colbalt blue deep 
• Payne's grey 
• Forest green 
• Sap green 
• Bright green lake 
• Yellow ochre 
• Quinacridone gold 
• Earth of Cyprus 
• Burnt sienna 

Brushes 

• Rounds No 6 & 1 and flat No 10

Miscellaneous 

• Water container and tissue 
• HB pencil 
• Geo triangle
• Eraser
• Sakura 0.1 waterproof fineliner 
• Spray bottle

Step 1

Using a pencil, draw a frame on your paper. Make sure the space outside the lines is equal on all sides so the drawing will be nicely centered.

Step 2

Place the horizon slightly above the middle. Then draw the road and the hills. Draw the mountains in the background last.

Step 3

Use a fineliner, size 01, to go over the lines you sketched in pencil. When drawing the trees (cypresses), start with the ones in the foreground, then draw the road behind them so the lines don’t overlap. Erase the pencil lines afterward. Once your drawing is finished, prepare your palette. For this watercolour, I used Michael Harding paints. Put a small drop of each colour (see the materials list) onto your palette and add some water using a spray bottle. If you’ve used the paint before, you only need to activate it with water. Take a wet brush and make a small puddle of each of your paints. Now you can start painting the first areas.

Step 4

Work from top to bottom, starting with the sky. For this, you can use the colour Sky Blue. Begin with highly saturated paint, and as you move downward, gradually add more water so the colour becomes lighter. Use a large flat brush (size 10) to work quickly. To achieve a smooth gradient on the paper, it’s important to work fast. Another important tip when working with watercolour: do not go over the painted surface too often with your brush. With oil paint, this is possible, but with watercolour, you should avoid it as much as possible. Let the paint do the work on the paper!

Step 5

Now you can start painting the fields individually. Note: let one area dry before starting the adjacent one, otherwise the colours may bleed into each other. Always use two colours per area – this keeps the composition more dynamic. For the dark brown field, I used a mix of Burnt Siena, Earth of Cyprus and Paynes Grey.

Step 6

The mountains are a mix of Cobalt Blue Deep, Paynes Grey, and Forest Green. Paint the mountain in the background lighter than the one in front. Use a lighter shade of the blue mix for this. This way, you'll create depth in your artwork.

Step 7

For the green parts of the watercolour, I used a mix of Sap Green and Bright Green Lake.

Step 8

For the golden-yellow fields, I used Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Gold, and a touch of Earth of Cyprus. For the larger areas, you can use the bigger brush again to create smooth gradients.

Step 9 and 10

Once you’ve painted all the large areas, start adding details like the trees and the path. Use a fine brush for this, size 1. Personally, I love bright colours, and the highly pigmented watercolours by Michael Harding Paints are perfect for this. If you’ve used too much water and the colours turn out too light, let the paper dry completely. You can then apply another layer of watercolour to intensify the
colour.

Colour without compromise: A closer look at Michael Harding Watercolours

When it comes to uncompromising quality in artist materials, Michael Harding is a name synonymous with excellence. With luminous potential, the brand’s watercolour range is celebrated for its exceptional pigment strength, clarity, and flow. From the delicate granulation of Lapis Lazuli to the brilliant transparency of Quinacridone Gold, each colour delivers unparalleled vibrancy and consistency rarely seen in other watercolour paint ranges. Washes remain radiant even when heavily diluted, and layered glazes retain their remarkable clarity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a dedicated student, Michael Harding Watercolours empower you to work with both precision and spontaneity – the perfect combination for any expressive medium.

Top Tip! 

Trying using Michael Harding's cobalt teal for atmospheric skies, it lifts beautifully and adds subtle drama with minimal effort. 

If you're new to drawing, don't stop here! Explore our other beginner-friendly guides to learn all you need to progress and develop your drawing skills.

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Click here to find out more about the Michael Harding range.