plate no. 3382

View of Amalfi

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapeseabuildingsmountainsboatsfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural details within a landscape. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle nuances of light on water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the horizon line, the placement of the mountains, buildings, and boats.
step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of light yellow to pale blue, blending smoothly.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes of the mountains and buildings using light washes of color, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Paint the sea with varying shades of blue and green, suggesting waves with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, using a fine brush to create windows, doors, and other architectural elements.
step 06
Paint the boats, paying attention to their reflections in the water.
step 07
Add the figures on the rocks, using small dabs of color to suggest their forms.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix blues and whites for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the buildings and rocks. Add small amounts of green to the blues for the water.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the buildings, resulting in a flat, unrealistic appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a garish effect.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.