plate no. 7171

View of the Church of Santa Maria della Salute, on the Grand Canal, Venice, with the Dogana beyond

oilRomanticismcityscapebuildingswaterskyarchitecturecityscapechurch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose, expressive brushwork to capture architectural details. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue and gray, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 03
Establish the main value masses of the buildings using a mix of browns and grays.
step 04
Begin adding details to the architecture, focusing on capturing the overall form rather than precise accuracy.
step 05
Use darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 06
Add highlights to the buildings and water to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final touches such as figures and boats in the foreground.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ivory black with titanium white. Use cerulean blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of raw umber for a muted tone.

techniques