plate no. 8916

Wharves

Robert Spencer, 1925

oilImpressionismcityscapebuildingswaterboatsfiguresskycityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as capturing the atmospheric perspective of a cityscape. Students will also practice rendering figures in a loose, impressionistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and water.
step 03
Establish the basic forms of the buildings, focusing on their overall shapes and values.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 05
Paint the boats and figures, using loose brushstrokes and simplified forms.
step 06
Develop the foreground details, such as the docks and debris.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · viridian

Mix muted greens for the water by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve the building colors by mixing raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white, adjusting the ratios for variations in tone.

techniques