plate no. 3583

Thameside

C. R. W. Nevinson, 1941

oilCubismcityscapebuildingsboatswatersailsskyfigure

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice simplifying complex scenes into geometric forms and using a limited palette to create atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to create reflections on water using broken color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, boats, and sails, focusing on their geometric forms.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the waterline, paying attention to the perspective.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: the sky, buildings, water, and sails, using thin washes.
step 04
Develop the values of the buildings, creating highlights and shadows to define their forms.
step 05
Paint the sails with varying shades of red-brown, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 06
Create the water reflections by using broken color and horizontal brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details such as the figure in the boat and the windows on the buildings.
step 08
Refine the edges and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the buildings, adding small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt sienna for the sails, darkening it with raw umber. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·geometric simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified geometric forms.
→Creating reflections that are too symmetrical or detailed.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not creating a sense of atmosphere.
→Ignoring the value structure and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·raw umber oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·#4 round brush
·#6 flat brush

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for dry brushing techniques. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil or odorless mineral spirits for easier blending.

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