plate no. 5992
Heat of the Day, Venice
James Charles, 1892
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections in water and capturing the atmospheric perspective of a cityscape. It also provides practice in rendering figures and architectural details with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, water, and figures.
- step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad washes of color, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and architectural details, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Add the figures and gondola, focusing on capturing their gestures and forms with simple shapes.
- step 05
Develop the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add the finishing touches, such as the details on the gondola and the highlights on the water.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the subtle variations in the water by mixing blues, greens, and browns with white. Create the warm tones of the buildings by mixing reds, yellows, and browns.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and tone.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
- →Getting the proportions of the buildings and figures wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·color wheel
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) to allow for sufficient detail. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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