plate no. 1738
Traffic on Stockholms Ström
Anna Palm de Rosa, 1890
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle value and color shifts. Students will learn to simplify complex shapes and suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the ships and boats, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light, cloudy mix of white, blue, and a touch of yellow.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the water, a muted gray-green, and indicate the reflections of the ships.
- step 04
Paint the larger ships, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding highlights.
- step 05
Add the smaller boats and details, such as masts and rigging, using a fine brush.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add the smoke and steam with light, airy brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust values as needed to create depth and realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Use white to create tints of the blues and browns for the sky and water. Mix small amounts of red and yellow into the browns for the ships.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·soft blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
- →Making the colors too saturated and bright.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
- →Not softening edges enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (light gray or beige) to make it easier to judge values.
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