plate no. 9897

Cliffs at Fecamp in Normandy

Gustave Loiseau, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapecliffsseaskybeachvegetationcoastline

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in capturing atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cliffs, coastline, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and purples, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the base colors of the sea using greens and blues, varying the tones to suggest depth.
step 04
Paint the distant cliffs with muted greens and browns, focusing on their overall shape.
step 05
Develop the foreground cliffs with a mix of browns, greens, and oranges, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the water and cliffs to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Refine the details of the vegetation and rock formations, paying attention to texture.
step 08
Add small details like the suggestion of boats in the distance.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · violet

Mix blues and greens with white to create the various shades of the sea and sky. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the cliffs, adding touches of green and red for variation. Create muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques