plate no. 4615

Reykjavík Harbor

oilExpressionismcityscapebuildingswaterskyfiguresharbormountain

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning about simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. Students can practice layering colors and creating depth with subtle value changes.

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 mountain, water, buildings, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with broad strokes, establishing the overall color and value.
step 03
Paint the mountain using different shades of blue, creating depth and dimension.
step 04
Add the dark horizontal band separating the water from the buildings.
step 05
Block in the main colors of the buildings, using simplified shapes and colors.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof lines, using darker and lighter shades of the base colors.
step 07
Paint the figures in the foreground with simple shapes and colors, adding shadows to ground them.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · sap green

Mix different shades of blue for the sky, water, and mountain. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the buildings. Mix white with other colors to create lighter values.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·layering
·simplification
·basic perspective

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the shapes and details of the buildings.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic image.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure and creating a flat or undifferentiated image.
→Not simplifying the scene enough.