plate no. 1670

Lunker

Peter Doig, 1995

oilMagic Realismgenre paintinglakeboatfiguretreesreflectionsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating atmospheric perspective, and capturing reflections in water. It also encourages experimentation with brushstrokes to achieve texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boat, figure, and treeline.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall proportions of the sky, water, and land.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted blue and purple tones to the sky and water areas.
step 04
Block in the dark mass of the trees using a dark brown or black.
step 05
Begin layering colors in the water to create the illusion of depth and reflection, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the figure in the boat as a dark silhouette, paying attention to its reflection.
step 07
Introduce lighter tones and highlights to suggest light reflecting off the water and sky.
step 08
Refine details and add final touches, such as subtle color variations and textural brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix blues and browns for the dark tones of the trees and boat. Use white to lighten the blues and create the sky. Mix crimson and umber for the reflections in the water.

techniques