plate no. 0010

Boating Party

Robert Spencer, 1928

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingswaterboatsfiguresskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. It's a good exercise in simplifying complex subjects and focusing on overall color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and figures, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, buildings, water, and ground.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to build up texture and detail in the buildings and water.
step 05
Add the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on their placement and interaction.
step 06
Refine the details of the boats and rigging, using thin lines and darker values.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights to catch the light and create visual interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of beige and gray by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of ultramarine blue. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red light for the roof and figure accents.

techniques