plate no. 0070

Contrasting sounds

Moise Kisling, 1918

oil, boardPost-Impressionismcityscapeboatswaterbuildingscityscapefiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying thick, textured brushstrokes and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and colors. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and varying brushstroke direction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the boats, buildings, and ship using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings with diluted paint.
step 03
Begin adding thicker paint and texture to the water using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 04
Define the shapes of the boats and buildings with darker values and bolder brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the ship's rigging and masts, using thin lines and varying the pressure on the brush.
step 06
Incorporate small figures to add scale and interest to the cityscape.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the water, adding touches of yellow ochre and burnt umber for depth. Create warm grays by mixing white, black, and a touch of red or yellow.

techniques