plate no. 5863

Fire Island Sunset

Jacob Collins, 2004

oilContemporary Realismlandscapetreesskywatersunsetlandscapegrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to achieve subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and creating depth through layering.

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 horizon line and placement of the trees.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the sky with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees and foreground foliage.
step 04
Begin layering in lighter tones to suggest the setting sun and its effects on the landscape.
step 05
Add details to the trees, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the water and sky, blending colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights to the grass and foliage to capture the light.
step 08
Review and adjust values and colors to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Achieve the warm sunset glow by mixing yellow ochre and cadmium yellow with touches of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the distant water and sky. Vary the intensity of colors by mixing with white or burnt umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·color blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
→Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags