plate no. 0641
House at Santorini
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes and how to create a harmonious color palette using a limited range of earth tones. It also provides practice in creating depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, coastline, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow ochre and white, creating a soft gradient.
- step 03
Establish the main value blocks for the buildings and landscape using a mixture of burnt umber, raw sienna, and white.
- step 04
Refine the shapes of the buildings, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using darker shades of brown and gray.
- step 06
Paint the sea and coastline, using variations of gray and brown to create depth and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights to the buildings and landscape to create a sense of light and shadow.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray
Achieve the various shades of beige and brown by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with varying amounts of white. Use yellow ochre to warm up the colors and Payne's gray to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking
- ·value studies
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes of the buildings.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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