plate no. 7366

Ghent, a View of the Coupure

Gustave de Smet, 1907

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingswatertreeslandscapereflectionsky

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing reflections and creating a sense of depth using color and brushwork. Students will learn to simplify complex scenes and focus on the overall impression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and water line.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, water, and land using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shapes of the buildings and trees.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion.
step 05
Develop the details of the buildings and trees with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and buildings to create a sense of light.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · red oxide · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the tree. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for darker tones.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Making the reflections too literal and not distorted enough.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not harmonious.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, red oxide, sap green, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags