plate no. 6698

Naples

oilRomanticismlandscapecityscapewaterboatsbuildingsskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes and perspective lines of the cityscape, water, and sky.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blue and white, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains and buildings with muted tones of brown, gray, and pink, using atmospheric perspective to create depth.
step 04
Add the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and varying shades of blue and green to suggest movement and reflections.
step 05
Paint the foreground elements, such as the boats, figures, and rocks, with more detail and darker values.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and buildings to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the atmospheric haze by mixing white with small amounts of blue, umber, and sienna. Create the building colors by blending umber, sienna, and ochre with varying amounts of white.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the overall harmony of the painting.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form and volume.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium (e.g. Liquin)
·easel

Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., light gray or raw umber) to help establish the overall color harmony.

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