plate no. 0058
Beach
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing color mixing and creating subtle value gradations to depict atmospheric perspective. Students can learn to simplify a landscape into basic shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the land and sky.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, gradually darkening it towards the horizon.
- step 03
Paint the distant landmass with a darker blue, blending it slightly into the sky.
- step 04
Add the sea, starting with a darker blue and transitioning to turquoise near the shore.
- step 05
Paint the beach with a neutral gray, adding subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Add soft, blended clouds to the sky using light tints of white and blue.
- step 07
Refine the horizon line and the edges of the land and sea.
- step 08
Add a thin white line to represent the breaking waves on the shore.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · viridian
Mix different blues with white to achieve the various sky and sea tones. Add a touch of yellow ochre or raw umber to the blues to create the grays for the land and beach.
techniques
- ·color blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·value gradation
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Creating too much contrast, losing the subtle atmospheric effect.
- →Making the horizon line too sharp and defined.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Consider using a slow-drying medium to allow for more blending time.
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