plate no. 4073

Verona, Italy

Rubens Santoro, 1900

oilRealismcityscapebuildingswatercityscapearchitecturecanalbridge

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections in water and capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow on architectural forms. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and canal.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, buildings, and water, focusing on overall values.
step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, roofs, and architectural features.
step 04
Work on the reflections in the water, using horizontal brushstrokes and broken color.
step 05
Refine the details in the foreground, adding texture and highlights to the buildings and water.
step 06
Add small details like figures or boats to enhance the sense of scale and atmosphere.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to emphasize the focal points.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of other colors. Achieve the water's color by mixing cerulean blue with white and touches of raw umber and yellow ochre.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·reflected light

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective of the buildings wrong.
→Making the water too uniform and lacking in reflected detail.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall atmospheric effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the buildings and water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cerulean blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags