plate no. 6839

At the beach

oilExpressionismlandscapebeachseaskycloudsmountainsfigures

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing expressive brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. Students will develop skills in color mixing and layering to create depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, mountain shape, and placement of figures/umbrellas.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Paint the mountains with a mix of browns, purples, and yellows, varying the tones to create depth.
step 04
Establish the dark blue of the sea, adding horizontal strokes to suggest waves.
step 05
Add highlights to the waves with white and light yellow, using short, choppy strokes.
step 06
Paint the beach with a base of yellow and beige, adding shadows and highlights to create texture.
step 07
Add details to the figures and umbrellas with small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red · purple

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark blue of the sea. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the mountain range.

techniques