plate no. 7131
A Onda
Anita Malfatti, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create dynamic movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks and wave, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a dark, muted color, using horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the rocks using a mix of browns and blacks.
- step 04
Begin building up the wave with broad strokes of white, yellow, and hints of green.
- step 05
Add highlights to the rocks with lighter shades of brown and yellow.
- step 06
Refine the shape and movement of the wave with smaller, more directional brushstrokes.
- step 07
Introduce subtle color variations in the water and sky to create depth.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow
Mix browns and blacks for the rocks, adding yellow ochre for highlights. Create the wave with white, yellow, and touches of green and blue. Mute the sky by mixing blue, brown, and white.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·scumbling
- ·wet-on-dry blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not capturing the movement and energy of the wave.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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