plate no. 1860

La ceiba de Ponce

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeswaterbuildingskyfigureslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in capturing the texture of foliage with varied brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting reflections in water and suggesting movement.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main elements: the river, the buildings, and the trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding white for the clouds.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the trees, using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the water with varying shades of green and blue, capturing the reflections of the sky and trees.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, using a light pink for the main house and darker tones for the other structure.
step 06
Develop the foliage by layering different shades of green and using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the figures and other small details to bring the scene to life.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · sap green · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, adding white for lighter shades and umber for darker tones. Achieve the pink of the house by mixing white with a touch of red.

techniques