plate no. 5454

Blue day, Bandol

Rupert Bunny, 1929

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapeskytreeswatermountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve atmospheric perspective and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, mountains, and water, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending slightly to create soft clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark blue of the water, varying the tone slightly to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the distant mountains with a muted green and blue mix, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Block in the main colors of the buildings, using a warm palette of ochre, sienna, and white.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and shadows, using darker tones of the same colors.
step 07
Paint the trees in the foreground with a mix of greens and yellows, adding texture with short brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · raw umber

Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the buildings, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Create muted greens for the mountains by mixing sap green, raw umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·blocking in
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
·palette
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·easel

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a more harmonious result.

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