plate no. 2888

Porto de Mônaco

Anita Malfatti, 1926

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapeharborboatsbuildingswatermountainssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It also provides an opportunity to experiment with visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest.

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 mountains, harbor, and buildings, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water, then the land and buildings.
step 03
Add details to the mountains, varying the greens and browns to create depth.
step 04
Paint the boats, focusing on their shapes and reflections in the water.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and harbor structures, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground, including the figures and vegetation.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create variations in the water by adding small amounts of white, blue, or yellow to the base color.

techniques

·blocking in
·broken color
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry blending
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the image.
→Not paying attention to the values, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Failing to simplify the shapes and colors, which can make the painting look cluttered.