plate no. 1922
Martigues Landscape
Andre Derain, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and experiment with non-naturalistic color to create mood. It's a good exercise in layering and creating depth with color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, paying attention to the placement of the buildings, trees, and mountains.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and mountains in the background.
- step 03
Add the darker tones for the trees and foreground elements, establishing the value structure.
- step 04
Mix and apply the vibrant colors for the buildings and other details, focusing on the contrast between warm and cool tones.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the forms, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
- step 08
Make any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and composition.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · black
Mix blues and greens for the sky and water. Use burnt umber and black for dark areas. Mix cadmium red with yellow ochre for the building highlights.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·layering
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·simplified forms
- ·color temperature contrast
common pitfalls
- →Overblending colors, losing the vibrancy.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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