plate no. 8561

The Martigues

Francis Picabia, 1902

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapeboatsbuildingswaterskyfiguresharbor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light reflections on water and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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 buildings, boats, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with broad strokes of diluted color.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the buildings, using a mix of white, yellow, and ochre.
step 04
Add darker tones to define the shadows and details of the boats and figures.
step 05
Create reflections in the water using broken brushstrokes and slightly darker values of the surrounding colors.
step 06
Develop the details of the boats and buildings, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow ochre to create the sky and water. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the darker tones of the boats and buildings. Add cadmium red light to create the red roof tiles and sails.

techniques