plate no. 1565
Vue Portuaire
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray, blending it smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the values of the water and land, using horizontal strokes for the water and varied strokes for the land.
- step 04
Add the buildings and boats, simplifying their forms and using darker values for shadows.
- step 05
Indicate the figures with quick, gestural strokes.
- step 06
Add details like masts, flags, and the lighthouse, keeping them loose and impressionistic.
- step 07
Refine the values and colors, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add highlights to suggest light reflecting off the water and buildings.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · payne's gray
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining white, raw umber, and a touch of blue. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the sandy tones. Add small amounts of red and blue for the flags.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated and not capturing the muted tones.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective and making distant objects too sharp.
- →Creating hard edges and not blending the colors smoothly.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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