plate no. 6801
Chateaubriand s Tomb, St Malo (also known as St. Malo Chateaubriand s Tomb)
Maurice Prendergast, 1907
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to simplify complex scenes into blocks of color and how to create texture with visible brushstrokes. Students will also practice color mixing to achieve the subtle variations in the water and sky.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, rocks, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and greens, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Paint the building with ochre and brown, defining the basic structure.
- step 04
Add the dark green of the distant landmass.
- step 05
Block in the sea with varying shades of green, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the beach area with a base of yellow ochre.
- step 07
Add the figures on the beach using dabs of color for their hats and bodies.
- step 08
Refine details and add highlights to the building and rocks.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt sienna
secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · ivory black
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns by combining red, yellow, and blue.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the colors too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Not simplifying the figures enough, resulting in a cluttered look.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette knife
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke effect. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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