plate no. 3494

Port of La Ciotat

Georges Braque, 1907

oilFauvismmarinaboatswaterbuildingsharborskyships

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing simplified forms and using color to define shapes instead of relying on realistic shading. Students will learn to capture the essence of a scene with bold, expressive brushstrokes and non-naturalistic color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and land using thin washes.
step 03
Start adding the darker values to define the shapes of the buildings and boats.
step 04
Introduce the brighter, more saturated colors to create visual interest and contrast.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to add texture and movement to the water and sky.
step 06
Refine the details of the boats and buildings, paying attention to the reflections in the water.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension of the painting.
step 08
Step back and adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Vary the intensity of colors by mixing with white or complementary colors. Use red and green to create darker tones.

techniques