plate no. 1826

Venice

Max Gubler, 1949

oilExpressionismmarinaboatswaterfiguresskyseamarina

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing expressive brushstrokes and simplified shapes. Students will learn to capture a scene's essence with minimal detail and bold color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the boats and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water using thin washes.
step 03
Add the darker values for the boats and figures, using thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes.
step 04
Define the edges of the shapes with contrasting colors, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
step 05
Add details such as the masts, sails, and facial features, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create visual interest.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of red and yellow ochre to create the sky and water. Use blue and red to create the darker tones in the boats and figures. Mix green with white and yellow to create the green boat.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·alla prima
·color blocking
·impasto
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much detail and cluttering the composition.
→Not paying attention to the overall color harmony.
→Creating mud by overmixing colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, viridian green, ivory black)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags