plate no. 0093

Harbour Scene

oilBaroquemarinaharborshipsbuildingsfigureswatersky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many details. It also provides practice in capturing the textures of different materials like stone, wood, and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the main elements (buildings, ships, figures).
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall perspective of the scene.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, ships, and water with thin washes of color.
step 04
Start building up the details in the buildings, adding shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 05
Work on the ships, paying attention to the rigging and the sails. Use a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add the figures in the foreground, using small brushstrokes to suggest their forms.
step 07
Refine the details in the water, adding reflections and highlights.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · Prussian blue

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the buildings and ships. Add small amounts of Prussian blue to create cooler tones in the sky and water.

techniques