plate no. 0198

Capri coast

oil, canvasRealismmarinasearockscoasttreesskyvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and luminosity in water, and in depicting realistic rock formations using varied brushstrokes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cliff, shoreline, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky and sea with broad, blended strokes, creating a gradient from light to dark.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the cliff face and rocks, using a base color of warm browns and grays.
step 04
Layer in highlights and shadows on the cliff and rocks to define their form and texture.
step 05
Paint the water, using layers of blues, greens, and whites to create depth and transparency.
step 06
Add details to the foreground rocks and vegetation, using smaller brushes and more defined strokes.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, paying attention to the color and value of the reflected objects.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix blues and greens with white to achieve the various shades of the sea. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the rocks, adding white for highlights and burnt sienna for shadows.

techniques