plate no. 6102

Barca de pesca con vela roja

Marie-Thérèse Auffray, 1954

paintExpressionismmarinaboatwaterbuildingsskyharborsails

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with expressive brushstrokes and understanding how to create depth using value and color. Students will learn to simplify complex forms and focus on the overall mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the boat, buildings, and horizon line with light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: dark blue for the sky and water, red for the sails, and muted tones for the buildings.
step 03
Start adding darker values to define shadows and create depth, especially in the water and around the buildings.
step 04
Build up the texture of the water with short, choppy brushstrokes, using lighter blues and whites for highlights.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the boat and sails, adding details like the mast and rigging.
step 06
Add highlights to the buildings and the boat to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to achieve the desired mood.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · crimson red · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark tones of the sky and water. Add white to create lighter shades. Mix crimson red with a touch of burnt umber to create the darker shades of the sails.

techniques