plate no. 2597

Breaking Waves I

oilRealismmarinawavesoceanskywaterbirdsclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting the movement and texture of water, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and color mixing for realistic seascapes. Students will also learn to create depth through layering and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the major wave formations.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue base, adding subtle variations in tone for the clouds.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the ocean with a mix of blues and greens, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin layering in the lighter areas of the waves, using a mix of white, turquoise, and light blues.
step 05
Focus on the foam and splashes, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the waves, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the birds in the sky, paying attention to their scale and placement.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · viridian green

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Achieve the various blues and greens by mixing ultramarine blue and viridian green with varying amounts of titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warmer tones for the highlights and reflections.

techniques