plate no. 5021

Martigues Landscape

Lucian Grigorescu, 1932

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingsboatswaterskycityscapeclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth.
step 04
Introduce the reflections in the water, using similar colors to the objects above.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the buildings and boats with thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details such as windows, masts, and figures.
step 07
Create the clouds using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights to emphasize the light and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cerulean blue

secondary · titanium white · sap green · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings and sky. Use cerulean blue and white for the water and sky. Add small amounts of red and green to create variations in the building colors.

techniques