plate no. 9800
Beach
Spyros Vassiliou, 1978
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. Students will also practice creating subtle color variations and capturing the feeling of light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, tables, and chairs.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, and ground, using diluted washes.
- step 03
Paint the sun with a circular shape, blending the edges into the sky.
- step 04
Add the darker tones to the sea and ground to create depth.
- step 05
Paint the tables and chairs, paying attention to their shapes and shadows.
- step 06
Add details like the bottle, glasses, and cloth on the table.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the tones to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · rose madder
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber
Mix white with rose madder to create the pinkish sky. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sea, adding a touch of yellow ochre for variation. Mix burnt umber with white for the ground.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·simplified shapes
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details
- →Using too much detail in the background
- →Not blending colors smoothly enough
- →Ignoring the effect of light and shadow
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, rose madder, yellow ochre, burnt umber)
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Using acrylic paints will allow for faster drying times, which is helpful for layering. Consider using a retarder medium to slow down the drying time if you prefer to blend the colors more easily.
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