plate no. 8318

View of the San Marco canal

oilRomanticismcityscapecanalbuildingsfigureswaterskyarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, particularly with buildings and receding water, and in rendering realistic textures for stone and water. It will also allow them to practice painting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, paying attention to perspective lines of the buildings and canal.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the sky, water, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, including windows, doors, and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and clothing.
step 06
Add details to the water, including reflections and ripples.
step 07
Refine the details of the foliage and stonework in the foreground.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · sky blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and payne's gray with white. Use yellow ochre and white to create the light tones of the buildings. Achieve the sky color by mixing sky blue with white, gradually adding a touch of raw umber for the horizon.

techniques

·linear perspective
·glazing
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering reflections

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective leading to distorted buildings.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through value and color.
→Inaccurate proportions of figures.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (sky blue, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, payne's gray)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette