plate no. 9541

Palermo

oilRomanticismcityscapecityscapeharborboatsbuildingsfiguresmountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural forms with simplified brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the buildings, mountains, and boats.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually lightening towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the mountains, buildings, and water, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, using a smaller brush to define windows, roofs, and other architectural features.
step 05
Paint the boats in the foreground, focusing on their shapes and reflections in the water.
step 06
Add the figures along the harbor, using simple shapes and colors to suggest their presence.
step 07
Refine the details in the foreground, including the stone pavement and any other elements that add depth to the scene.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use raw umber and white for the mountains, adding touches of blue for atmospheric perspective. Mix yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the buildings, adjusting the proportions to create variations in color.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·linear perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the buildings, which can make the painting look too busy.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere, which can make the painting look flat.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the overall harmony of the painting.
→Not simplifying the figures enough, which can make them look out of place in the landscape.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags