Share to XI came across the work of Fausto Zonaro a few weeks ago. He was an Italian artist best known for his role as the official court painter to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II (not sure what this involved, but it sounds important!). His work is stunning in general, but I was particularly captivated by the way he painted water. There’s an effortless realism to it. I’ll share a few examples below, but first, here are some of my key observations. Keep these in mind as you look through his paintings.
- He often combined sharp, dark accents against large areas of lighter colors. He used the dark accents to suggest major contours and movements on the water, with the most prominent marks being around the foreground. Notice the sense of rhythm of these accents. There’s an almost lyrical quality to them.
- He didn’t use many bright, striking highlights. The dark accents and mid-tones do most of the work. Because of this, his paintings have a reserved and understated quality to them. It’s different to say, my Perth painting, which is all about the striking highlights bouncing off the water’s surface.
- In the lighter areas, Zonaro used subtle color variance within a compressed value range. That is, he varied the saturation and hue of the colors whilst keeping the value (lightness) fairly consistent. This allowed Zonaro to add a bit of flair without compromising the simple value structure.
- He was a master of simplification. He didn’t paint every single highlight, shadow, or ripple on the water. He simplified it all down to only the essentials. But every mark he made has purpose and appears true.
- He used color gradation to create a sense of space and atmosphere, and to suggest the water’s depth. For deeper water, he used deeper blues. For shallower water, he used warmer and lighter colors.
- For overcast subjects, he softened the contrast and relaxed his brushwork, giving a hazy, atmospheric appearance. This is a good rule of thumb. Match your brushwork to the subject’s nature and conditions. Overcast = relaxed brushwork. Clear and sunny = defined brushwork.
Enjoy!
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Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Regards
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
Loved these paintings! He did such impressionistic work, but then the ones with the fishermen were way more detailed. Just wonderful
This is wonderful. Thank you!!
Oh Dan you never cease to amaze with the artists you find.
I love this artists works especially number 1, 6 and 8.
His muted backgrounds and detailed higher saturation in the firground are a lovely contrast.
Thank you, Dan.
I struggle so to paint realistic water scenes.
I will try and copy some of these
Thankyou Dan
I enjoyed this article and the introduction to this artist. Your commentary and critic is very helpful in appreciating technique.
Kind regards and Merry Christmas
Judith
Thanks for sharing this artist’s talent. His ways with water are so, so cool. I had never heard of this guy before seeing the information you have shared, so again, thankyou.
I think this guy’s water scapes are some of my favourites of all time.
I really enjoyed reading about this artist – and all others in your series. So much to observe and learn about his techniques. Fascinating!
The water is the dominant feature in these pictures but so skillfully painted. the whole atmosphere of the scene is tied together and you can imagine being there. Great examples of loose but extremely effective work
Really amazing post, thank you, Dan!
I enjoyed the sea, but for me was very attractive the sky too. I can’t describe my feelings professionally, but the colors of the sky made a deep impression on me. There aren’t any garish colors, but the clouds have all the right hues, and at the same time, you can feel the atmosphere, the air. Like the sea, there’s a sense of water. The sea and the figures in the painting with the fishermen are especially interesting.
Really beautiful paintings and technique! Thanks so much for sharing
Stunning!!
Thanks for sharing this Dan. I live the simplicity Zonaro has used to depict water. Gives me things to think about in my own watercolor paintings.
Fausto Zonaro makes the movement of the water so simple. Thanks for sharing.
Great discovery. Thank you for calling attention to these wonderful paintings!!
Zonaro also was a master at sky’s! Love the way he painted them with soft clouds. What a compliment to his water! Great find, Dan! Wasn’t it Winslow Homer who painted like he was in a boat out at sea painting his lovely water and boat scenes?
What an amazing artist he was!! Thank you for sharing . His colors, the ease of style is absolutely enchanting! You’re so right, the subtleness of the water is relaxing to the eye! My favorite is the fishermen. Beautiful colors!
Again, thank you.
Thanks Dan
I really appreciate these emails and the exposure you give to artists i have never heard of! It is so interesting to see the different ways that artists approach similar subjects.
I find it really interesting that Zonaro often painted from the perspective of looking toward the shore line. Many painters, including myself, paint looking out to sea. His paintings can tell a far greater story that way. Thanks for this article, lots to think about here.
Robin what a great observation and so true.
Interesting point! Didn’t realise that. Thanks Robin