plate no. 6514

Valencia

Joaquín Sorolla, 1910

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapeboatswaterfiguresskyharborcityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing colors to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boats, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, water, land, and boats using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on capturing the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Add details to the figures, paying attention to their anatomy and poses.
step 05
Refine the details of the boats and other elements in the scene.
step 06
Use broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix blues and browns to create the various shades of the water and sky. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix small amounts of red and green to create neutral tones for shadows.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·color layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the correct values, resulting in a flat or unrealistic image.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying attention to the overall color harmony of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, viridian)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife