plate no. 6944

O Farol

Anita Malfatti, 1915

oilExpressionismlandscapelighthousehousesskycloudslandscapehill

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors with visible brushstrokes to create texture and form, as well as simplifying complex shapes into basic geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the lighthouse, houses, and hill, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of light blues, yellows, and pinks, blending slightly.
step 03
Establish the base colors of the hill using yellows and oranges, varying the tones to create depth.
step 04
Paint the lighthouse with white, grey, and touches of yellow, defining its cylindrical form with highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add the houses, simplifying their shapes and using reds, whites, and blues for the roofs and walls.
step 06
Define the bushes and trees with dark greens and browns, using short, choppy brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the lighthouse and houses, adding windows, doors, and other architectural elements.
step 08
Add final touches to the sky and hill, adjusting the colors and values to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · yellow · white · blue · red

secondary · green · orange · grey · pink

Mix greens from blues and yellows, oranges from reds and yellows, and greys from blues, yellows, and reds. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·color layering
·simplification of forms

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform, losing the sense of texture and energy.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and color scheme.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create visual interest.