plate no. 5770

Le Petit Port

oilDivisionismmarinaboatswaterbuildingsskytreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing and application using divisionism techniques. Students will also learn to build form with individual brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, land, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, water, land, and buildings.
step 03
Begin applying individual brushstrokes of color, focusing on local color and variations within each area.
step 04
Use small strokes of complementary colors to create visual vibration and interest.
step 05
Build up layers of color, allowing some of the underpainting to show through.
step 06
Refine the shapes of the boats and buildings with more precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details such as reflections in the water and highlights on the buildings.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making final adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · green · yellow · orange · red

secondary · purple · blue · pink

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations by adding small amounts of red or orange. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns and grays by combining complementary colors.

techniques