plate no. 9108

Naples

Maurice Prendergast, 1915

watercolor, paperPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingstreesfigurescityscapeskygarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing figures in motion with simplified forms. It also encourages experimentation with color layering and creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and figures, focusing on composition.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre or raw sienna to the paper as a base tone.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky with diluted blues, allowing the base tone to show through.
step 04
Paint the buildings with a mix of white, ochre, and small amounts of red and blue, creating varied tones.
step 05
Add the trees and foliage using various greens, blues, and browns, employing loose brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the figures with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on capturing their movement.
step 07
Add details like windows, branches, and shadows with darker washes.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed to create depth and harmony.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors (e.g., red and green, blue and orange).

techniques