plate no. 9896
Havana Harbor
Willard Metcalf, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of foliage and buildings with loose brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: horizon line, coastline, buildings, and palm trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky and water with thin washes of color, establishing the overall atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the distant hills and the foreground foliage.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, focusing on the roof colors and the shadows.
- step 05
Paint the palm trees, starting with the trunks and then adding the fronds with expressive brushstrokes.
- step 06
Develop the foreground foliage with layers of greens, reds, and browns, creating a sense of depth and texture.
- step 07
Add final details such as boats, figures, and highlights to enhance the overall composition.
- step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting values and colors as needed to achieve a harmonious and balanced result.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Achieve the muted tones of the buildings and water by mixing complementary colors like burnt sienna and cerulean blue.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast in creating form and depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider pre-toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt sienna to create a warm undertone.
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