plate no. 5617

View of Porvoo

oilSymbolismlandscapetownbuildingsrivertreesfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering and color temperature. It also provides practice in simplifying complex architectural forms and rendering them with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, paying attention to the placement of the buildings, river, and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of grey and brown, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the buildings, using a mix of browns, reds, and yellows. Vary the tones to create depth.
step 04
Paint the river with muted blues and greys, reflecting the sky and surrounding buildings.
step 05
Add the trees on the right side, using dark browns and greens. Use broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the figures on the road with simple shapes and dark colors.
step 07
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roofs, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed. Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix browns with varying amounts of red, yellow, and blue to create different shades for the buildings. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix blue and brown for the river.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·simplification of forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Not simplifying the architectural forms enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife