plate no. 2217

The Departure of the East Indiamen

oilBaroquemarinashipsseaskyfiguresharborflags

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex shapes like ships with sails. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the ships, figures, and landmass.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, blending for soft clouds.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the sea, using darker blues and greens in the foreground and lighter hues towards the horizon.
step 04
Paint the larger ships, focusing on their overall shapes and values before adding details.
step 05
Add details to the ships, including sails, rigging, and hull details, using thin brushes.
step 06
Paint the figures on the shore, simplifying their forms and focusing on their placement and interaction.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the ships, figures, and land.
step 08
Refine the details and blend the colors to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and green for the sea by blending ultramarine blue, raw umber, and white. Achieve the warm tones of the ships and land by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and yellow ochre.

techniques