plate no. 1056

Sunset at Port Marly

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapestreetbuildingsskytreesfiguressunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and broken color techniques to capture the fleeting effects of light.

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 perspective of the road and the placement of buildings and trees.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, blending pinks, oranges, and blues.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings and trees with muted colors, suggesting atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add details to the road using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Introduce figures and carts, paying attention to their scale and placement within the scene.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, adding texture to the wall and vegetation.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and light.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of pink and purple for the sky by blending red, blue, and white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the buildings and road. Mute colors with complementary colors to create atmospheric perspective.

techniques