plate no. 2140

View of Positano

Vincenzo Caprile, 1924

oil, canvasRealismlandscapelandscapebuildingsmountaintreesskyvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and values. It provides practice in capturing the essence of a landscape with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, buildings, and foliage, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of light blue and gray.
step 03
Block in the large masses of the mountain and foliage with darker greens and browns.
step 04
Begin layering lighter greens and yellows to suggest sunlight on the foliage.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, using grays, browns, and whites to create form and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the foliage, using small brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · viridian green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by blending viridian green with yellow ochre and raw umber. Vary the greens by adding small amounts of blue or burnt sienna. Use white to lighten the values and create highlights.

techniques