plate no. 5333

Marseilles, France

Edward Wadsworth, 1926

oilSurrealismcityscapecityscapebuildingswaterskyfortificationsboat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, color mixing for subtle earth tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms into geometric shapes.

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 and perspective lines of the buildings and landscape.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin to define the individual buildings and architectural details, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Add texture to the walls and landscape using short, visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Mix subtle variations of color to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the water and sky, blending colors smoothly.
step 08
Add final details such as windows, doors, and the sailboat.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cerulean blue · burnt sienna

Mix raw umber and white for the base tones of the buildings. Add yellow ochre for warmth and burnt sienna for shadows. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky and water, adding a touch of raw umber to the water for depth.

techniques