plate no. 7818

The Port of Palais, Belle Ile

Raoul Dufy, 1907

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfigureswaterbuildingslandscapeboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and texture. It also encourages experimentation with color to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, buildings, water area, and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with broad strokes of blue and white, varying the tones.
step 03
Add the land mass with browns, oranges, and greens, simplifying the shapes of the buildings.
step 04
Define the figures with basic shapes and colors, paying attention to their poses.
step 05
Add the yellow lines representing the boats.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and figures with thicker, more defined brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the forms.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · violet

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, varying the ratios to create different shades. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the land, and mix greens and violets for accents.

techniques