plate no. 8154

Barcos no Rio

Carlos Botelho, 1930

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapeboatsbuildingswatercranesharbor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and atmosphere. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve a harmonious, muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and cranes, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water, then the buildings and foreground.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shapes of the buildings and boats, creating contrast.
step 04
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to add texture to the buildings and water.
step 05
Refine the details of the cranes and boats, paying attention to their structure.
step 06
Add highlights to the buildings and water to create a sense of light and depth.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm tones of the buildings. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones of the boats and cranes.

techniques