plate no. 8509

Indian Village, Alert Bay

Emily Carr, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapetotem polesbuildingsfiguresvillageskyclothing line

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to simplify complex scenes and capture the essence of light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

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: totem poles, buildings, figures, and the foreground area.
step 02
Block in the sky and background buildings with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the totem poles, paying attention to their shapes and details.
step 04
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, focusing on their overall forms.
step 05
Add the clothing line and other details, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Define the foreground area with varying shades of gray and brown.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · gray · blue · brown · white

secondary · red · green · yellow

Mix grays by combining complementary colors (e.g., blue and orange, red and green). Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mute colors by adding a touch of their complement.

techniques