plate no. 7281
Convoy in Bedford Basin
Arthur Lismer, 1919
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and layering colors to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and rendering reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the ships.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of light blue, grey, and white, creating the cloud formations.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the water using a mix of blues and greens, varying the tones to suggest depth.
- step 04
Paint the distant landmasses with muted colors, paying attention to their relative values.
- step 05
Begin adding details to the ships, focusing on the camouflage patterns and the play of light and shadow.
- step 06
Refine the water by adding highlights and reflections of the ships and sky.
- step 07
Add details to the foreground elements, such as the rocks and vegetation, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · payne's gray
Mix various shades of blue and grey for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create warm tones for the land and ships. Payne's gray can be used to darken colors and create shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
- ·artist grade odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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