plate no. 4705
East Point, Gloucester
William James Glackens, 1919
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the impressionistic style of loose brushwork and broken color.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: the trees, the figure, the buildings in the distance, and the overall structure.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the general tones and values of the landscape and the buildings.
- step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 04
Pay attention to the light and shadow, and adjust the colors accordingly to create a sense of depth.
- step 05
Add details to the figure, the trees, and the buildings, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values, making sure that the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the impressionistic effect.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, colors, or values.
color palette
primary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
secondary · alizarin crimson · titanium white · cadmium yellow light
Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Achieve the atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors in the distance.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them sufficiently.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating depth.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
- ·oil paints (see color palette)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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