plate no. 2665

A Summer Afternoon

Edward Henry Potthast, 1910

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbeachfiguresumbrellasskycloudsocean

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a loose, impressionistic style. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to depict light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line and the main groups of figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of light blue, gray, and white, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the beach, using a mix of white, gray, and touches of yellow and pink.
step 04
Begin adding the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually refining the details.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to depict the umbrellas, clothing, and other details, capturing the impressionistic style.
step 06
Mix and apply colors for the shadows, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 07
Add highlights to the figures and objects to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · viridian

Achieve the sky colors by mixing white with varying amounts of blue and a touch of yellow ochre. Mix grays by combining white, black, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use these grays to tone down the other colors.

techniques