plate no. 1650
Venice Cliff Seen from San Marco Piazza
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve atmospheric perspective and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture light and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, bridge, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and water.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin building up values in the buildings and bridge.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, using quick, gestural brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes in the foreground to create texture.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · sap green
Mix yellow ochre and white for the buildings, burnt sienna and ultramarine blue for shadows, and varying amounts of white to create lighter tints for the sky and water. Use small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the ochre and sienna.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using too much detail in the background, flattening the perspective.
- →Not paying attention to the color temperature of the light and shadows.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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