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home·artworks·Marine, soleil couchant
Marine, soleil couchant by Claude-Joseph Vernet

plate no. 5451

Marine, soleil couchant

Claude-Joseph Vernet

oilNeoclassicismmarinaseashipsunsetfiguresbuildingssky
experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for sunsets, and rendering complex shapes like ships and buildings. It also provides practice in painting figures in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, the ship, buildings, and major landforms.

  2. step 02

    Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the gradient from warm sunset colors to cooler blues.

  3. step 03

    Paint the distant mountains and buildings using atmospheric perspective, making them lighter and less detailed.

  4. step 04

    Begin defining the ship's hull and sails, paying attention to the light and shadow.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the buildings and figures in the foreground, using smaller brushes.

  6. step 06

    Paint the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and the ship.

  7. step 07

    Add final details, such as rigging, flags, and highlights on the water.

  8. step 08

    Glaze areas to unify colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber · ivory black

Achieve sunset colors by mixing yellows, reds, and whites. Use blues and whites for the sky and water. Mix browns and blacks for shadows and details.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·scumbling
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·blending

common pitfalls

  • →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
  • →Overworking details too early in the process.
  • →Not creating enough atmospheric perspective.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 18x24
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·easel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A pre-primed canvas is recommended.

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