plate no. 5530

Capri, Italy

oilRealismmarinabuildingsboatsseaskymountainfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on various surfaces, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountain, buildings, and boats.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, mountain, and buildings, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the shadows on the buildings and mountain.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, paying attention to the variations in color and texture.
step 05
Paint the boats and figures, focusing on their shapes and values.
step 06
Refine the details in the water, capturing the reflections and movement.
step 07
Add highlights and final touches to create a sense of realism and depth.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · raw umber · viridian

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the buildings and sand, adding touches of red for warmth. Mix greens from yellow and blue for the foliage.

techniques