plate no. 4133

Loading Wool Bales, Morgan Wharf

oilImpressionismcityscapedocksboatwaterskycranebales

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in watercolor washes and creating depth through layering. Students will learn to simplify complex shapes and capture the essence of a scene with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the dock, boat, crane, and bales.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the sky and water areas.
step 03
Paint the basic shapes of the dock and boat with diluted blues and grays, varying the intensity.
step 04
Add the bales with a mix of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, suggesting form with light and shadow.
step 05
Define the crane with a mix of burnt sienna and a touch of blue.
step 06
Add details like the small boat and reflections in the water.
step 07
Refine the shapes and values, adding darker tones where needed to create depth.
step 08
Let dry completely.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the warm tones of the bales and water. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create various grays for the dock and boat. Add white to lighten values.

techniques