plate no. 0314

Todd Shipyard

Alexander Calder, 1925

oilAmerican Realismgenre paintingshipfiguresscaffoldingskyindustrialdock

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in large shapes, mixing muted colors, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of figures with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the ship, scaffolding, and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the dark and red sections of the ship, and the general tones of the scaffolding and ground.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin adding details to the ship and scaffolding, using visible brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 05
Refine the figures, focusing on capturing their poses and gestures with simple shapes and values.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray for the sky and ship by combining black and white with small amounts of umber or sienna. Achieve the red of the ship by mixing cadmium red with burnt sienna and a touch of black to darken it.

techniques