plate no. 1535

Fonteghetto della Farina

oil, canvasBaroquecityscapecityscapewaterbuildingsfiguresboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural details with light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, water, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, water, and buildings, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the architecture, using a smaller brush to add windows, arches, and other features.
step 05
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 06
Refine the details of the boats and other elements in the water.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Achieve the sky color by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the warm tones of the buildings by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white. Use small amounts of red to add warmth to the browns.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·linear perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags