plate no. 2185

Steamship OSCAR II Entering New York Harbor

oilRealismmarinasteamshipoceanflagstugboatsskyclouds

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex shapes, understanding atmospheric perspective, and mixing subtle color variations to create depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the ships and the horizon line, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and ships using thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the main steamship, focusing on the hull, decks, and rigging.
step 04
Develop the smaller boats and tugboats, gradually adding details and refining their shapes.
step 05
Paint the flags, using reference images to ensure accuracy in their designs.
step 06
Work on the sky, building up layers of clouds with varying tones of blue and white.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, using slightly darker and desaturated versions of the colors above.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · cadmium red · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and water. Use black and umber for the ship's hull, and mix browns and yellows for the tugboats. Add small amounts of red and yellow for the flags.

techniques