plate no. 4447

Sóller on the north coast of Mallorca

Santiago Rusinol, 1905

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapeseascapebuildingswatervegetationarchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create depth and realism. It also offers practice in rendering complex textures like water, foliage, and stone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
step 02
Establish the sky with soft, blended colors, creating a gradient from light to dark.
step 03
Block in the distant hills and buildings with muted colors, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the water using horizontal brushstrokes and varying shades of blue and green.
step 05
Define the shoreline and foreground with warmer tones and more detailed textures.
step 06
Add the architectural elements, such as the pergola and building, using a combination of straight and curved lines.
step 07
Introduce details like the foliage, boats, and reflections in the water.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors to create a sense of depth and harmony.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or green for variation. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the earth tones, lightening with white and adding touches of blue or green for cooler shadows.

techniques