plate no. 2755

Harbor in Hel

Roman Selsky, 1934

oilImpressionismlandscapeboatswaterbuildingsskylandscapeharbor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and practice applying textured brushstrokes to create depth and form.

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, boat, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, water, land, and buildings using diluted paint.
step 03
Begin adding texture to the land and water with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the colors of the buildings, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 05
Refine the details of the boat, including the mast and cabin.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast as needed.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and white for the buildings, add small amounts of red or blue to create variations. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding touches of yellow ochre for clouds. Mix blue, green, and brown for the water.

techniques