plate no. 9070

Ships in harbour

oilRealismmarinaboatswaterskycloudsharborfigures

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice loose brushwork and capturing atmospheric perspective. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the boats and clouds.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and land using thin washes.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shapes of the boats and clouds, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Build up layers of color and texture using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details such as masts, sails, and reflections in the water.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights to the boats and water to create a sense of light and sparkle.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson

Mix grays and muted blues for the sky and water by combining white, blue, and a touch of umber. Use yellow ochre and orange for the boats.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-dry layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of the scene.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.
→Not simplifying the complex shapes of the boats and clouds.