plate no. 6267
La Salute, Venice
Clarence Gagnon, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the main colors of the water with varying shades of blue.
- step 04
Paint the large shapes of the buildings with a mix of white, yellow, pink, and blue.
- step 05
Add darker values to indicate shadows and architectural details.
- step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 07
Add small details like windows and boats.
- step 08
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna
Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and white for the lighter parts of the buildings, and add touches of red and blue for shadows and variation.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough.
- →Creating mud by over-mixing colors.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
