plate no. 2540

Lisbon Bouquet

Carlos Botelho, 1935

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsseaskyhousesboats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve a variety of hues and values, as well as understanding perspective and composition to create depth in a complex scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, sea, and large building masses using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the buildings, working from dark to light to establish form and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, roofs, and architectural features, using smaller brushes.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the rooftops, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground buildings, adding texture and highlights to create depth.
step 07
Paint the distant mountains and boats, keeping the colors muted and the details minimal.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · blue · white

secondary · brown · green · pink

Achieve the various building colors by mixing reds, yellows, and browns with white. Use blue and white with a touch of green for the sky and sea. Mix browns with blues and yellows for the rooftops.

techniques