plate no. 9487

Rapallo boats

Wassily Kandinsky, 1905

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismmarinaboatswaterbuildingsmountainsskylandscape

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice broken color techniques and capturing light with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

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 boats, buildings, and mountains, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, land, and boats, using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color with thicker paint, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on capturing the light and shadow on the boats and buildings.
step 05
Add details to the boats and buildings, such as windows and reflections.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Vary the blues with white and a touch of red. Achieve the off-whites by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna.

techniques