plate no. 3364
A July Day
Edward Henry Potthast, 1914
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice capturing figures in motion and rendering the reflections and movement of water. Students can also explore impressionistic color mixing and brushwork techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, sand, and figures using thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, paying attention to the subtle variations in hue and value.
- step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the impression of movement and texture in the water and sand.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and details of the figures, focusing on capturing their gestures and poses.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Pay attention to the reflections in the water, using similar colors to the objects above.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
secondary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium yellow
Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the sand, adding alizarin crimson for the darker areas. Mix alizarin crimson and burnt umber for the figures' clothing, adjusting the proportions to create different shades.
techniques
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·rendering reflections
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and sand.
- →Failing to capture the movement and energy of the scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. If using acrylics, consider using a slow-drying medium to allow for more blending time.
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