plate no. 0745

The point of the port of Saint-Tropez

Francis Picabia, 1900

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapeboatsbuildingswaterskylandscaperocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the buildings, boats, shoreline, and distant mountains.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and pink hues, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings with warm whites and grays, indicating the light source.
step 04
Paint the red sails of the boats, varying the intensity of the red to create depth.
step 05
Add the dark tones of the boats and shoreline, using browns and blacks.
step 06
Create the water with layers of blues, greens, and whites, capturing the reflections of the boats and buildings.
step 07
Add details to the rocks and shoreline, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · viridian

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and water. Use red and yellow ochre for the buildings and shoreline. Add burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques