plate no. 0099

Venice, Palazzo Contarini

oil, panelRealismcityscapebuildingswaterskyfigurescanalarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering architectural details with light and shadow, and in capturing the reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the buildings, canal, and figures, focusing on accurate proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, blending smoothly.
step 03
Establish the basic colors and values of the buildings, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Add the darker tones to create shadows and define the architectural details.
step 05
Paint the water, capturing the reflections of the buildings and sky.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, including windows, balconies, and ornamentation.
step 07
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and interaction.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall realism and depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and white. Use cerulean blue with white for the sky and water. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up the building colors.

techniques