plate no. 4352

Nec mergitur

Ferdynand Ruszczyc, 1905

oilSymbolismmarinashipseawavesnightstarssky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic water movement and capturing atmospheric effects with light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering complex shapes and textures using expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the ship and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest areas to create a strong value structure.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the waves using dark blues and greens.
step 04
Add highlights to the waves using lighter blues, yellows, and whites, focusing on the crests and areas where light reflects.
step 05
Paint the ship, starting with the overall shape and then adding details like masts, sails, and rigging.
step 06
Create the starry sky using small dots and dashes of white and light blue paint.
step 07
Refine the details of the waves and the ship, paying attention to the direction of light and the texture of the water.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix blues and umber for the dark water. Use white to create highlights and lighter shades of blue. Mix yellow ochre and white for the ship's lights.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to create a strong value contrast, making the painting look flat.
→Getting lost in the details of the ship too early, before establishing the overall composition.
→Not capturing the movement and energy of the waves.