plate no. 1205

Seaport with the Embarkation of St. Ursula

oil, canvasClassicismreligious paintingseaportarchitectureshipsfigureswatersky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural details with light and shadow. It will also improve their ability to depict figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the architectural elements, ships, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad washes of color, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the buildings and ships, using a limited palette of earth tones and grays.
step 04
Begin to add details to the architecture, such as columns, windows, and ornamentation.
step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their poses and gestures.
step 06
Add details to the ships, such as sails, rigging, and flags.
step 07
Refine the details of the water, adding highlights and reflections.
step 08
Add final touches, such as birds in the sky and small details on the figures.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Achieve the atmospheric perspective by mixing blues and whites with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber for distant objects. Use glazes to create depth and luminosity.

techniques