plate no. 2487

Containers at Pisa Airport

Jeffrey Smart, 1999

oilContemporary Realismcityscapecontainersskyfigureslandscapeairportwind sock

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle atmospheric effects and practice accurate rendering of geometric forms in perspective.

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 containers, figures, and windsock.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the overall value and color gradient.
step 03
Establish the horizon line and the basic tones of the ground plane.
step 04
Paint the containers, paying attention to their colors, values, and the subtle variations within each container.
step 05
Add details to the containers, such as the lines and edges, and the subtle shadows.
step 06
Paint the figures, focusing on their proportions and the way they interact with the light.
step 07
Add the windsock, paying attention to its shape and the direction of the wind.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · sap green · raw sienna

Achieve the muted sky tones by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Create the container colors by mixing primary colors and adjusting with white or umber for subtle variations.

techniques