plate no. 7756
View of Amalfi
John Ruskin, 1844
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose, expressive brushwork to convey mood and light. It also encourages simplification of complex architectural forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountains, buildings, and water.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of diluted blue and yellow.
- step 03
Define the sky with varied blues and grays, blending softly.
- step 04
Layer in darker values for the mountains, focusing on the rocky peaks.
- step 05
Block in the basic shapes of the buildings with light washes of white and yellow.
- step 06
Add details to the architecture using a fine brush and darker values.
- step 07
Create reflections in the water with horizontal strokes, mirroring the colors above.
- step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray
Mix blues and yellows for greens, add white to create lighter tones, and use burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details and losing the loose, expressive feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not diluting paint enough for initial washes.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·water container
- ·palette
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·palette knife
- ·spray bottle
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
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