plate no. 7993
The Docks of the Port of Bastia
Auguste Herbin, 1907
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning about color mixing and how to represent reflections in water using broken color techniques. Students will also practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the waterline.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes.
- step 03
Start adding the local color to the buildings, using distinct brushstrokes.
- step 04
Create the reflections in the water with short, broken strokes of various colors.
- step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and rooflines, using darker colors.
- step 06
Define the edges of the buildings and reflections with bold outlines.
- step 07
Add the boat and its reflection.
- step 08
Refine the colors and details as needed.
color palette
primary · yellow · blue · red · green
secondary · purple · orange · pink
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve variations in building colors by adding small amounts of red, blue, or green to the yellow base.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified forms
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →making the reflections too uniform
- →losing the overall structure of the composition
- →using mudding colors
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a medium to help with blending and drying time.
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