plate no. 2848

Calm Before a Storm

oilRealismmarinaseaskycloudsboatswatersails

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle nuances of light on water. It also provides practice in rendering cloud formations and reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the positions of the boats.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the light source and cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the basic color of the sea, varying the tone to suggest depth and distance.
step 04
Paint the distant boats, focusing on their simplified shapes and muted colors.
step 05
Develop the details of the main boat, paying attention to the sails and reflections.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the clouds and water to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the reflections, ensuring they align with the objects above.
step 08
Add final touches, such as subtle ripples on the water and details on the boat.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding touches of raw umber for the darker areas. Use a combination of blues, umber, and ochre for the water, varying the proportions to create depth and reflections. Add burnt sienna to umber for the boat.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·rendering reflections

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, especially in the distant elements.
→Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the atmospheric perspective.
→Making the reflections too sharp or defined.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the water and sky.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags