plate no. 5116

The port of Volos

oilRealismcityscapeharborshipsbuildingsskyfigureswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex shapes like ships and buildings. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow across a cityscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, ships, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky with a mix of blues, whites, and yellows, blending softly to create atmospheric effects.
step 04
Paint the distant hills and buildings with muted colors and soft edges to suggest depth.
step 05
Begin adding details to the ships, focusing on their shapes, masts, and rigging.
step 06
Paint the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and varying the colors to reflect the sky and surrounding objects.
step 07
Add figures and details to the foreground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to lighten values. Create the sky by blending blues, yellows, and whites. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create darks.

techniques