plate no. 9862

U. S. Ship-of-The-Line

Antonio Jacobsen, 1916

oilRealismmarinashipseasailscloudsflagwater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting realistic water and rendering complex shapes like sails and rigging. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective in the sky.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the ship, sails, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky and sea, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the ship's hull and the light values of the sails.
step 04
Begin adding details to the ship, including the rigging, masts, and hull details.
step 05
Refine the shapes and values of the sails, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the water, creating the illusion of waves and movement.
step 07
Refine the sky, adding clouds and adjusting the overall atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Use raw umber and black to create the dark tones of the ship. Mix yellow ochre and white for the sails.

techniques