plate no. 6843

Gateway Tangier

Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1910

oilImpressionismcityscapearchitecturegatewaycityscapefigurebuildingsteps

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use light and shadow to create depth and form, as well as how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It will also help them practice loose, expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the archway and the figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow, using broader brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the details of the architecture, paying attention to the texture of the walls.
step 05
Add the figures, focusing on their shapes and the way they interact with the light.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the warm tones of the walls. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Mix small amounts of burnt sienna into the other colors to add warmth and depth.

techniques