plate no. 7149
The square in Positano
Vincenzo Caprile, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting architectural forms with light and shadow, as well as creating atmospheric perspective to suggest depth in a landscape. Students will also practice mixing subtle color variations to represent the weathered surfaces of buildings.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, mountains, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main perspective lines of the buildings.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, mountains, buildings, and foreground, using thin washes of paint.
- step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the buildings, adding details such as windows, doors, and arches.
- step 05
Develop the light and shadow on the buildings, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
- step 06
Add details to the figures and the boat, using small brushstrokes.
- step 07
Create texture on the mountains and buildings using dry brush techniques.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre · cerulean blue
secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · viridian
Mix various shades of gray and beige by combining white, raw umber, and yellow ochre. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding small amounts of raw umber for cloud shadows. Create the pinkish hues of some buildings by mixing white, alizarin crimson, and a touch of yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the perspective of the buildings.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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