plate no. 2020

Tamarama

Jeffrey Smart, 1954

oilPrecisionismcityscapebeachfiguresbuildingsskysandsea

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and practice creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn about simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and sea.
step 03
Establish the ground plane with a base layer of greens and browns.
step 04
Add the basic colors of the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as the roof lines and support structures.
step 07
Develop the texture of the ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · viridian

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the sandy beach color by mixing titanium white, raw umber, and a small amount of yellow ochre.

techniques