plate no. 1722

Ship at Le Havre

Georges Braque, 1905

oilFauvismmarinashipswaterboatsbuildingsskyharbor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It's a good exercise in expressive brushwork and capturing reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the large ship, the small boat, the buildings in the background, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the water, the ship's hull, and the dock.
step 03
Start adding details to the ship, focusing on the shapes of the masts, rigging, and anchors.
step 04
Develop the reflections in the water, using similar colors to the objects above but with softer edges.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings in the background.
step 07
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 08
Step back and make any final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use red and burnt sienna for the ship's hull and dock. Mix greens and blues for the ship's body.

techniques