plate no. 5582

Veneţia spre Campanile di San Marco

Jean Alexandru Steriadi, 1914

oilImpressionismcityscapewaterbuildingsskyboatscityscapetower

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture the impressionistic style. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, tower, and boats using light pencil lines, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build depth and dimension, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and movement in the water and sky.
step 05
Add details to the buildings and boats, such as windows, doors, and masts, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or brushwork.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium orange

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber

Mix white with blue and a touch of crimson for the sky. Use yellow ochre and orange for the buildings, adding crimson for warmer tones and umber for shadows. Mix blue and green for the water, adding white and pink for highlights.

techniques