plate no. 5261

The Bandstand

William James Glackens, 1919

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingbeachfiguresbandstandskycloudsocean

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice capturing a scene with many figures and structures using impressionistic brushstrokes and color mixing to create a sense of light and atmosphere. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and color blocks.

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 bandstand, buildings, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, ocean, and sand using thin washes.
step 03
Add the main colors of the buildings and figures, focusing on their overall shapes.
step 04
Begin to define the figures and details of the bandstand with thicker brushstrokes.
step 05
Layer colors to create depth and dimension in the sky and ocean.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the figures and structures.
step 07
Refine the details and add final touches to the painting, paying attention to the light and atmosphere.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · violet · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the sky, yellows and reds for the sand, and greens and blues for the ocean. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix violet from red and blue.

techniques