plate no. 0078

View of Delft

oil, canvasBaroquecityscapecityscapewaterbuildingsskycloudsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing reflections in water. It also offers practice in rendering architectural details and figures within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the horizon line, major buildings, and the shoreline.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the basic shapes of the clouds and the blue sky.
step 03
Lay in the base colors for the water, paying attention to the reflections of the buildings and sky.
step 04
Establish the basic shapes and colors of the buildings, focusing on the overall forms rather than intricate details.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, roofs, and architectural features, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, adding subtle variations in color and value to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Paint the figures on the shoreline, keeping them simple and in proportion to the buildings.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the sky colors by mixing ultramarine blue and titanium white, adding a touch of raw umber for the darker cloud areas. Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the buildings, lightening with yellow ochre and titanium white for highlights.

techniques