plate no. 7397
The Port of Algiers
Albert Marquet, 1924
suitable for beginners
This painting teaches atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex harbor scenes into clear, harmonious compositions using a limited palette and confident brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light pencil sketch mapping out the horizon line and major boat shapes
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad horizontal strokes using cloud grays and blue mixtures
- step 03
Establish the water surface with horizontal brushstrokes, leaving areas for reflections
- step 04
Paint the distant shoreline and buildings in muted tones to show atmospheric perspective
- step 05
Add the main boat forms in the foreground using darker values and warmer colors
- step 06
Develop the middle ground boats and industrial elements with simplified shapes
- step 07
Add reflections in the water using vertical brushstrokes that mirror the boats above
- step 08
Refine details and add final touches to masts, rigging, and architectural elements
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium orange · yellow ochre · payne's gray · viridian
Mix atmospheric grays by combining blue and orange; create water tones with blue, white, and touches of green; warm foreground elements with orange and sienna mixtures
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·horizontal brushwork for water
- ·simplified form construction
- ·color temperature contrast
- ·wet-on-wet blending
common pitfalls
- →overworking water reflections
- →making distant elements too detailed
- →using colors that are too saturated
- →creating choppy brushwork in sky areas
materials
surface · primed canvas or canvas board
required
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 flat brush
- ·#2 round brush
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·canvas 16x20 inches
optional
- ·palette knife for mixing
- ·cadmium orange
- ·painting medium
- ·disposable palette paper
A limited palette works well for this style - focus on mixing neutrals and maintaining clear temperature relationships
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