plate no. 4690

Honfleur

Burhan Dogancay, 1950

oilImpressionismmarinaboatswaterbuildingsharborskyreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: boats, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using diluted washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shapes of the boats and buildings, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Create reflections in the water by mirroring the shapes above and softening the edges.
step 05
Paint the details of the boats, such as masts and rigging, using thin lines.
step 06
Add highlights to the boats and buildings to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details in the water and sky.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · payne's gray

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for various shades of gray. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the browns. Payne's gray can be used to darken the values and create shadows.

techniques