plate no. 0407
A Sunbeam over the Sea
Henry Moore, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of water with loose brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in value control and creating a sense of depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line and the main cloud formations.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, creating a gradient from darker at the top to lighter near the horizon.
- step 03
Establish the basic tones of the sea, using darker blues and grays for the distant water and lighter, more textured strokes for the waves in the foreground.
- step 04
Add highlights to the waves using white and light blue, focusing on the areas where the sun is reflecting.
- step 05
Develop the cloud formations, using a variety of blues, whites, and grays to create depth and volume.
- step 06
Add subtle details to the water, such as small ripples and reflections.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding details as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to capture the sunlight effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Mix blues and whites for the sky and sea. Add raw umber and payne's gray to create darker tones and shadows. Use yellow ochre sparingly to warm up the highlights.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the waves, resulting in a stiff appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the sky and sea.
- →Using too much pure white, making the painting look flat.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and clouds.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·palette
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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