plate no. 9779

The Fish Market, Marseille

Raoul Dufy, 1904

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfiguresmarketinteriorcolumnsbasketstextiles

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in a scene and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the darkest tones.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color, using short, visible brushstrokes to define forms.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of brushstrokes to suggest the texture of different surfaces.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the figures, focusing on capturing their gestures and interactions.
step 06
Add details to the baskets, textiles, and other objects in the scene.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · olive green · ochre · burnt sienna · gray

secondary · red · blue · cream · umber

Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the warm tones of the textiles by mixing burnt sienna with red and a touch of white.

techniques