plate no. 3984
Soluppgang over Staden
Eugène Jansson, 1890
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, city, water, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-green mix, blending upwards to a lighter tone.
- step 03
Paint the distant cityscape as a dark silhouette, using a mix of dark green and blue.
- step 04
Lay in the water with a mid-tone green, reflecting the sky and city.
- step 05
Add the boats and their reflections, keeping them dark and simplified.
- step 06
Paint the foreground embankment and vegetation, using darker greens and browns.
- step 07
Add details like the building on the water and the suggestion of figures.
- step 08
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White
secondary · Burnt Umber · Cadmium Red
Mix greens by combining Prussian Blue and Yellow Ochre. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze. Add a touch of red to darken greens and create shadows.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the cityscape.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color shifts in the water and sky.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Prussian Blue oil paint
- ·Yellow Ochre oil paint
- ·Titanium White oil paint
- ·Burnt Umber oil paint
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Palette
- ·Odorless Mineral Spirits
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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