plate no. 1810

Moroccan Port

Henri Catargi, 1933

oilImpressionismmarinabuildingsseamountainsboatsskycoastal

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose watercolor washes and capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. It's a good exercise in simplifying forms and creating a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, buildings, and sea.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted brown/ochre to the mountains.
step 03
Add a pale blue wash to the sky, blending it slightly with the mountain color.
step 04
Use a light grey-blue wash for the buildings, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 05
Paint the sea with a mix of blues and greens, using horizontal strokes.
step 06
Add details like the boat and small figures with a fine brush or pencil.
step 07
Strengthen shadows and add subtle details with darker washes.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely, then add final touches if needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · cerulean blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix raw umber with water for the mountains and buildings. Use cerulean blue with a touch of raw umber for the sea and sky. Add white to lighten the colors.

techniques