plate no. 1853

Cliffs

oilImpressionismlandscapecliffsseavegetationskylandscapebeach

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing layering colors and creating a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: horizon line, cliff edges, and foreground.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray pastel, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Establish the sea with a mix of blues, purples, and grays, varying the intensity.
step 04
Add the base colors for the cliffs: browns, greens, and yellows.
step 05
Layer darker greens and browns on the cliffs to create shadows and texture.
step 06
Define the beach area with pinks, yellows, and light browns.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and cliffs using lighter pastels.
step 08
Refine details and blend colors as needed to achieve a soft, impressionistic look.

color palette

primary · light blue · green · brown · purple

secondary · yellow · pink · gray

Mix blues and purples for the sea, adding white for highlights. Create muted greens by mixing green with brown or gray. Achieve the cliff colors by layering browns, yellows, and greens.

techniques