plate no. 4348
San Sebastian
James Webb, 1874
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting detailed architectural elements within a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountain, boats, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it slightly darker towards the top.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the mountain and landmasses using light earth tones.
- step 04
Add the darker values to define the shadows and crevices of the mountain and buildings.
- step 05
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, varying the blue and green tones to create depth and movement.
- step 06
Add the boats and figures, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
- step 07
Refine the details of the buildings, boats, and figures, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 08
Add final details such as reflections in the water and small details on the beach.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · ivory black
Mix various shades of blue and green for the water by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and white. Create the mountain tones by mixing raw umber, burnt sienna, and white, adjusting the ratios for highlights and shadows.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·rendering reflections
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating too much contrast, losing the atmospheric effect.
- →Failing to accurately depict the perspective of the buildings and boats.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on medium)
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using a toned canvas (lightly tinted with raw umber) can help establish a unified color harmony from the start.
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