plate no. 2394

Côte d'Opale dunes au soleil couchant

Maurice Boitel, 1986

oilImpressionismlandscapedunesbeachseaskygrasssunset

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. Students will also learn to capture the feeling of light and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the shapes of the dunes.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the sky, sea, and sand with thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the dunes using darker and lighter tones of brown and ochre.
step 04
Add details to the grass and vegetation using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the reflections of the sunset on the water with horizontal strokes of orange, pink, and purple.
step 06
Refine the shapes and values of the dunes, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the figures on the beach and the birds in the sky as small details.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the dunes by combining burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create the sky by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of crimson for the sunset colors.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using too much detail in the foreground and not enough in the background.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium orange)
·round brushes (#2, #6)
·flat brush (#8)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife