plate no. 2179
View Of Venice (The Dogana)
Julius LeBlanc Stewart, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. It also offers practice in depicting architectural details and creating a sense of depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the perspective of the buildings and dock.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, water, buildings, and dock, using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the sky with subtle color variations, blending the colors softly.
- step 04
Work on the buildings, adding details like windows, columns, and the statue on top.
- step 05
Paint the water, capturing the reflections of the buildings and boats.
- step 06
Add details to the dock, including the wooden planks, barrels, and crane.
- step 07
Refine the details on the boats, paying attention to their shapes and reflections.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow
Mix various shades of gray and beige by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a hint of yellow ochre for warmth. Create reflections by using slightly darker and desaturated versions of the colors above them.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering reflections
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective wrong, especially with the buildings and dock.
- →Making the colors too saturated, losing the atmospheric effect.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sky and water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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