plate no. 3952

Hydra Port

Rudolf Schweitzer-Cumpana, 1929

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingswaterboatscityscapeskyharbor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for reflected light and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a place rather than precise details.

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, boats, and water line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Start adding darker values to define shadows and create depth in the buildings and reflections.
step 04
Mix and apply the various colors for the buildings, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the boats, focusing on their shapes and reflections in the water.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the water and the reflections.
step 07
Refine the details of the buildings and boats, paying attention to the edges and shapes.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix blues, yellows, and reds to create the colors of the water and reflections.

techniques