plate no. 6168

Balchik Corner

Stefan Dimitrescu, 1926

oilImpressionismlandscapetreesbuildingseafiguresskyshadows

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating depth through layering washes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive scene. Students will also learn to suggest detail rather than rendering it precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: trees, building, and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a very diluted wash of yellow ochre across the entire paper for the sky and ground.
step 03
Add a light blue wash for the sea, leaving some white paper showing through.
step 04
Mix a darker brown/gray and paint the shadows and the darker areas of the trees and building.
step 05
Layer more washes of brown/gray to build up the forms of the trees and building, adding details like branches and windows.
step 06
Add hints of color to the figures in the distance, keeping them simple and indistinct.
step 07
Strengthen the shadows under the trees and building to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark grays/browns. Use yellow ochre diluted for the sky and ground. Add a touch of alizarin crimson to the brown for warmer tones.

techniques