plate no. 0893

House at Saint-Tropez

Albert Marquet, 1905

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsseaskylandscapevegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to use brushstrokes to define form. It also teaches simplification of 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 basic shapes of the buildings, horizon line, and major landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the large shapes of the buildings using simplified color blocks, focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the sea and distant mountains, capturing the atmospheric perspective with muted colors.
step 05
Add the vegetation using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, such as windows and doors, with darker values.
step 07
Add highlights to the buildings and vegetation to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a harmonious balance of colors and values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and viridian. Create warm tones by mixing yellow ochre with cadmium red. Mute colors by adding a touch of raw umber or ultramarine blue.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·color temperature
·simplified shapes
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing and adjusting them.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Not simplifying the shapes and details, leading to a cluttered and confusing composition.