plate no. 2382

Break in the Storm

Algernon Talmage, 1917

oilImpressionismmarinaseawavesskycloudshorizonwater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering the movement of water with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle tonal variations within a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the clouds and waves.
step 02
Establish the overall tonal range by blocking in the sky with a thin wash of diluted color.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the waves, paying attention to their direction and form.
step 04
Begin adding darker values to the troughs of the waves and lighter values to the crests to create depth.
step 05
Use broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the water and the foam.
step 06
Refine the shapes of the clouds, adding highlights and shadows to create volume.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, suggesting the texture of the sand or rocks.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve subtle variations by mixing white with small amounts of umber, blue, and ochre. Use more white for highlights and less for shadows. A touch of burnt sienna can add warmth to the foreground.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·tonal painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of atmospheric perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the subtle tonal variations.