plate no. 1768

Grassy Dunes, Gloucester

John French Sloan, 1914

oil, canvasNew Realismlandscapegrassdunesoceanlighthouseskycoastline

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using directional brushstrokes to convey movement, especially in the grass. Students can also learn to simplify distant objects and create 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 composition, including the horizon line, the lighthouse, and the main areas of grass and rocks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, and the ocean with a slightly darker blue-gray.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the dunes and rocks, using ochre, raw sienna, and touches of red.
step 04
Begin layering the grass with yellows, greens, and browns, using vertical and slightly curved brushstrokes to suggest movement.
step 05
Add details to the lighthouse and distant coastline, keeping the colors muted and the details minimal.
step 06
Refine the foreground grass and rocks, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and texture.
step 07
Add small touches of red and brown to the foreground vegetation for added interest.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a balance of color and value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve muted tones by adding a touch of burnt sienna to your mixtures. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·layering
·directional brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the distant objects, losing the sense of atmospheric perspective.
→Making the grass too uniform in color and texture.
→Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium yellow light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife