plate no. 5794
Bald Head Cliff, York, Maine
Emil Carlsen, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create texture and capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to depict natural light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cliff, ocean, and sky, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the cliff face, the water, and the sky.
- step 03
Begin layering paint on the cliff, using a variety of warm and cool tones to create depth and texture.
- step 04
Develop the ocean by layering different shades of blue and green, using broken brushstrokes to suggest movement.
- step 05
Add highlights to the waves using white and light blue paint, capturing the foam and spray.
- step 06
Refine the details of the cliff, adding shadows and highlights to define the rock formations.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
- step 08
Add final details, such as small waves and reflections, to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of blue and green for the water by combining ultramarine blue, viridian green, and white. Achieve the cliff colors by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and white, adjusting the proportions to create warm and cool tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the cliff and water.
- →Making the waves too uniform and static.
- →Failing to capture the texture of the rocks and the movement of the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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