plate no. 6285

Evening on Killary Bay

Paul Henry, 1936

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapemountainscloudswatercottageslandscapeshoreline

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and using a limited palette to create atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in layering paint and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, water, and cottages, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, mountains, water, and foreground using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the mountain range with darker values and subtle color variations, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 04
Add details to the clouds, blending the edges to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 05
Paint the water with horizontal strokes, varying the value to suggest reflections and movement.
step 06
Define the cottages with simple shapes and contrasting values, adding details like the thatched roofs.
step 07
Add texture to the foreground with short, broken brushstrokes, using a mix of greens, browns, and grays.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · payne's gray

Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the mountain range. Use white to lighten the sky and water. Add yellow ochre and burnt sienna to raw umber for the foreground.

techniques