plate no. 5026

St. John's, Newfoundland

A.Y. Jackson, 1951

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapecityscapeharborbuildingsboatshillssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering colors to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes of the hills, buildings, and water.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, adding subtle variations in tone for clouds.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the hills, water, and distant cityscape using simplified shapes.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, focusing on their relative size and placement within the composition.
step 05
Develop the foreground hills with layers of greens, browns, and yellows, creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the boats and other elements in the harbor, paying attention to their reflections in the water.
step 07
Refine the details throughout the painting, adjusting colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture of the various elements.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and browns by mixing reds, yellows, and blues. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Achieve the hazy atmosphere by mixing colors with a touch of grey or raw umber.

techniques