plate no. 5454

Conversation in Capri

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1936

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresstreet scenearchitectureclothingcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in motion and using a limited palette to create a sense of atmosphere. It also provides practice in layering paint and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and architectural elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
step 03
Establish the basic value structure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the figures and buildings.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the figures, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations to add interest and realism.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and accessories.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and blue to create the various shades of gray and off-white. Use red and yellow to create the flesh tones and warm accents.

techniques