plate no. 4704

Un coin d'ombre a Capri

oilAcademicismgenre paintingfiguresstairsbuildingsarchitecturealleystone

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a naturalistic setting and understanding how light and shadow define form in architectural elements. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through careful color mixing and value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the stairs and buildings.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the figures and architectural elements with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the buildings and stairs, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the figures, adding details to their clothing and faces.
step 05
Develop the textures of the stone walls and stairs using dry brush techniques.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to their expressions and gestures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown for the stone walls and stairs. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Mix skin tones with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.

techniques