plate no. 2630

View from North Quay

oilRomanticismlandscapewaterboatsbuildingstreesskyrooftops

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as capturing the texture of foliage and rooftops with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, water, and foreground elements.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky and water with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the horizon line and the distant landmass with dark greens and browns.
step 04
Add the basic shapes of the boats and buildings in the midground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Begin building up the layers of foliage in the foreground, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 06
Define the rooftops and chimneys with reds, oranges, and browns, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the foliage and buildings.
step 08
Refine the details of the boats and add reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the rooftops, and mix greens from blue, yellow, and brown for the foliage.

techniques