plate no. 6667

Minesweepers, Halifax

Arthur Lismer, 1919

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)marinaseashipairplaneskycloudswaves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic seascapes and atmospheric perspective using visible brushstrokes and color mixing for light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, ships, and airplane.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of yellow and blue, blending slightly.
step 03
Establish the dark and light areas of the sea using blues, greens, and whites.
step 04
Paint the ships, paying attention to their form and the way light hits them.
step 05
Add the airplane, focusing on its shape and position in the sky.
step 06
Refine the details of the waves, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the waves and ships to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Adjust colors and values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · viridian green

Mix blues and greens with white to create the various shades of the sea. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm tones of the sky and ships. Mix white with blues and yellows to create the sky.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·wet-on-wet blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to capture the movement and energy of the waves.
→Making the ships too detailed and realistic, losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Not establishing a clear light source, resulting in a flat and unconvincing painting.