plate no. 0440

Coastal View with Barges

Bela Czobel, 1930

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapeboatsbeachskymountainslandscapewater

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing loose, expressive brushwork and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and colors. Students can learn to create depth with color and value rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the boats and mountains.
step 02
Block in the sky with light, muted colors, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the water and the beach, using horizontal strokes for the water and more textured strokes for the sand.
step 04
Add the dark shapes of the boats, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Paint the masts of the boats with thin, vertical strokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the boats and the beach to create depth.
step 07
Refine the shapes of the mountains and add subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix muted blues and grays for the sky by combining ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and white. Achieve the beach color by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and white. Darken colors with raw umber.

techniques