plate no. 2365

Boats in calm water

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapeboatswaterskymountainsreflectionssails

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations in water and sky, as well as learn to suggest reflections with simplified shapes and values.

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 boats, mountains, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, and mountains.
step 03
Add the basic colors of the boats, focusing on the red and yellow.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the boats and add details like masts and sails.
step 05
Add reflections in the water, using slightly darker and blurred versions of the boat colors.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle variations in the water and sky.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the composition as needed.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · burnt umber

Mix blues and white for the sky and water, varying the proportions to create subtle shifts in color. Use burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques