plate no. 1399
Swamped
Peter Doig, 1990
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections and creating atmospheric perspective through layering and color mixing. It also encourages experimentation with texture and expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of the canoe.
- step 02
Establish the dark background of the sky and trees using a mix of dark blues, browns, and blacks.
- step 03
Block in the general shapes and colors of the trees and their reflections, paying attention to the vertical lines.
- step 04
Layer in the colors of the water, using reds, oranges, yellows, and browns to create depth and movement.
- step 05
Paint the canoe and its reflection, focusing on the highlights and shadows to give it form.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and water, using small brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
- step 07
Refine the reflections, ensuring they are distorted and blurred to mimic the movement of the water.
- step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights and shadows, to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ultramarine blue
Achieve the dark tones by mixing black with burnt umber and ultramarine blue. Create the water colors by blending reds, oranges, yellows, and browns with white for highlights and black for shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Making the reflections too perfect and symmetrical.
- →Not using enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Failing to capture the movement and texture of the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to achieve the desired texture.
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