plate no. 3437

Camaret, the Jetty

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingsskycloudsfiguresboatslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose, expressive brushwork to capture the fleeting effects of light and weather. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the light and dark areas of the clouds.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the buildings, using a mix of warm and cool tones.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 05
Block in the foreground with a mix of earth tones, suggesting the texture of the ground.
step 06
Add figures and boats, simplifying their forms and focusing on their silhouettes.
step 07
Refine the details in the sky and foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details on the buildings and figures.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix blues and white for the sky, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the buildings, adding white to lighten the tones. Mix earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red for the foreground.

techniques