plate no. 4626

Towards sunset

Antonio Sicurezza, 1963

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelamp postseaskybuildingsdocklandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as simplifying complex shapes into basic forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: the dock, the sea, the landmasses, and the lamp post.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light yellow-green, blending it slightly as it descends.
step 03
Paint the sea with a muted green, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Establish the landmasses with a darker green, hinting at the buildings without precise detail.
step 05
Paint the dock with a gray-brown mix, capturing the flat planes and subtle shadows.
step 06
Add the lamp post, starting with the dark brown pole and then the red lamp head.
step 07
Add highlights to the lamp and dock to create depth.
step 08
Refine the details and add the small lamp post in the distance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the dock. Mix sap green and yellow ochre for the distant land. Add a touch of blue to the green for the sea.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Layering
·Dry brushing
·Color mixing
·Simplifying shapes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background.
→Making the colors too saturated.
→Not establishing a clear value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, cadmium red, sap green
·Round brushes (#2, #6)
·Flat brush (#8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil