plate no. 8670
Fishing Port, Gloucester
John French Sloan, 1916
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the harbor, buildings, and sky.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the blue of the sky and water, the greens and browns of the buildings.
- step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a value structure.
- step 04
Refine the shapes of the buildings and add details like windows and roofs.
- step 05
Add details to the water, including reflections and ripples.
- step 06
Paint the boats and masts, paying attention to their perspective.
- step 07
Add the clouds in the sky, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to colors and values to create a cohesive painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green
Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, varying the proportions to create different shades. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the buildings, adding touches of red or green to create variation. Mix greens from blue and yellow.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Ignoring the perspective of the buildings and boats.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) would be appropriate. Use artist-grade oil paints for best results.
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