plate no. 9948

Santorin Abendstimmung

oilExpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingsseaskyarchitecturedomes

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing impasto techniques and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. Students can learn to create depth using color temperature and value.

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 buildings and landscape, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, sea, and buildings, using thinned paint.
step 03
Apply thicker paint for the sky and sea, creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on the shapes of the windows and doors.
step 05
Use a palette knife or thick brushstrokes to create impasto effects on the buildings.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · black

Mix blues and whites for the sky and sea, adding small amounts of yellow for highlights. Use burnt sienna and black to create darker tones for shadows and rocks. Mix yellow ochre with white and blue for the buildings.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·color mixing
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·rags