plate no. 8841
Boats by the Normandy Shore
Richard Parkes Bonington, 1823
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in a coastal landscape. It also provides practice in rendering complex shapes like boats and figures with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boats, cliffs, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted blues and grays, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the cliffs and beach with earth tones, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Add the boats, starting with the darkest values and gradually building up the lighter areas.
- step 05
Introduce details to the figures and other elements on the beach, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the reflections in the water, using horizontal strokes and slightly desaturated colors.
- step 07
Add highlights and details to the sails and rigging of the boats.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust the values.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix muted grays and blues for the sky by combining white, blue, and a touch of umber. Achieve the warm earth tones for the beach by blending umber, ochre, and sienna. Use a touch of red to create the warmer tones in the boats and clothing.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Creating overly saturated colors that clash with the muted palette.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of atmospheric perspective.
- →Making the reflections too bright or detailed.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a pre-toned canvas with a light earth tone to simplify the initial stages.
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