plate no. 7070

Beach at Del Mar

Charles Reiffel, 1931

oilPost-Impressionismmarinabeachoceanwavesfiguressandsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing the movement of water and creating depth through layering and color variations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of major elements like the waves and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light, muted color, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the ocean, using varying shades of blue and green, and indicate the wave patterns.
step 04
Add the white foam of the waves, using thick, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the beach and foreground, using warm browns and greens to represent the sand and vegetation.
step 06
Add the figures and umbrellas, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Refine the details of the waves and foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · viridian green · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights, and mix browns from umber and blues.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brush
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the waves, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, creating a jarring effect.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth and perspective.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.