plate no. 4251
The casino of Nice
Raoul Dufy, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also encourages experimentation with color and composition in a non-realistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the casino, the trees, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, adding white for clouds with visible brushstrokes.
- step 03
Paint the casino's dome and towers using a mix of yellow, white, and touches of orange and brown, focusing on capturing the overall form rather than precise details.
- step 04
Add the architectural details of the casino with thin lines of brown and red, simplifying the patterns and shapes.
- step 05
Paint the trees and foliage using various shades of green, blue, and brown, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add the cars and figures in the foreground using simplified shapes and bold colors.
- step 07
Define the water with horizontal strokes of blue and white, suggesting reflections and movement.
- step 08
Review and adjust the composition, adding final details and highlights as needed.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Mix light blues for the sky by adding white to cerulean blue. Achieve the casino's dome color by mixing yellow ochre with white and small amounts of burnt sienna. Create various greens by mixing sap green with blues and yellows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·simplified forms
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details and losing the spontaneous feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to simplify complex shapes.
- →Not varying brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·flat brush (size 6)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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