plate no. 1524

Petit port, pecheurs et bateaux au quai

Jean Metzinger, 1906

oilDivisionismlandscapeboatswaterfiguresskyharborbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, applying broken color techniques, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and colors.

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 horizon line, the placement of the boats, figures, and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, and boats, using simplified shapes.
step 03
Begin applying individual brushstrokes of color, focusing on capturing the overall color temperature and value of each area.
step 04
Develop the details of the boats, figures, and buildings, using smaller brushstrokes and more precise color mixing.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and objects, using a combination of soft and hard edges.
step 07
Add final touches, such as small details and adjustments to the color and value.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange

Achieve the turquoise water by mixing cerulean blue, viridian green, and white. Create the warm tones in the boats and buildings by mixing yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and cadmium orange. Use white to lighten and cool the colors.

techniques

·broken color
·pointillism (modified)
·impasto
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Creating overly uniform brushstrokes, lacking variation and texture.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the overall color harmony of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (cerulean blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, viridian green, ultramarine blue, cadmium orange)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags