plate no. 1843

Capri

Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1901

oilRealismlandscapemountainbuildingstreesskyvillagelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color temperature to create depth. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountain, buildings, and foreground.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-green hue.
step 03
Establish the mountain's form with light ochre and umber tones, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the buildings with white and subtle variations of blue and purple shadows.
step 05
Add the dark masses of trees in the foreground, using dark greens and browns.
step 06
Develop the foreground with layers of dark purples and browns, suggesting texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and mountain, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches to the trees and foreground, creating a sense of depth.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow ochre for the sky. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the mountain, and add blue for shadows. Create the dark foreground by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and alizarin crimson.

techniques