plate no. 1489
Three-Masted Ship near Lighthouse
Alfred Wallis, 1930
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms and using visible brushstrokes to create texture. It's also a good exercise in understanding basic perspective and composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the ship, lighthouse, and docks, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the background sky and water with thin washes of color, leaving some areas of the canvas showing through.
- step 03
Paint the main body of the ship with a dark color, adding a red stripe along the bottom.
- step 04
Add details to the ship, such as the masts, sails, and windows, using a smaller brush.
- step 05
Paint the lighthouse and docks, paying attention to their simple geometric shapes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
- step 08
Let the painting dry completely.
color palette
primary · black · red · white · tan
secondary · grey · brown · green
Mix the sky and water colors by adding white to the tan and grey. Use a touch of brown to create the wood tones.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified shapes
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Making the shapes too precise
- →Using too many colors
- →Not allowing the underlayers to dry
materials
surface · Primed canvas panel
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas or wood panel
- ·Assorted brushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Water or solvent
- ·Rags
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Varnish
Use a textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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