plate no. 0829
La Corniche
C. R. W. Nevinson, 1920
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into geometric shapes and using color to define form. Recreating it will help students understand how to create depth and atmosphere with a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the buildings, palm trees, and sea.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and sea.
- step 03
Define the shapes of the buildings with darker and lighter tones.
- step 04
Add the palm trees, focusing on their geometric leaf structure.
- step 05
Develop the foreground vegetation with varied greens and browns.
- step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth.
- step 07
Add final touches to the buildings and architectural details.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of color and tone.
color palette
primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · violet
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·color blocking
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Losing the overall composition.
- →Not creating enough contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits (for oil paints)
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean, while oils allow for more blending.
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