plate no. 0763

Insel Salagnon bei Clarens

Varlin, 1936

oilExpressionismmarinawaterislandfigureboatsskysunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and color mixing to create a hazy, atmospheric effect. It also encourages simplification of forms and focusing on overall impression rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, island, figure, and boat.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with a thin wash of yellow and orange.
step 03
Add the island mass with a mix of greens, grays, and whites, using broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Indicate the figure in the foreground with dark, simplified shapes.
step 05
Add reflections in the water using horizontal strokes of yellow and orange.
step 06
Define the boat with a dark, simple shape.
step 07
Add highlights to the island and water to suggest light.
step 08
Refine the composition with small details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium orange · sap green

Achieve the hazy sky and water by mixing yellow ochre with white and small amounts of orange and blue. Create the island's greens by mixing blue, yellow, and umber.

techniques