plate no. 0796
Green Sea
Milton Avery, 1958
suitable for beginners
This painting helps students practice simplified shapes and color blocking to create a scene. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, beach, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, and sand.
- step 03
Mix a range of greens for the sea, varying the tones slightly.
- step 04
Add the wave line using white and light green.
- step 05
Paint the figures with simplified shapes using dark brown or umber.
- step 06
Add small white highlights to the sea to represent light reflecting on the water.
- step 07
Refine the shapes and edges, but keep the overall impression simple.
- step 08
Add subtle color variations to the sand.
color palette
primary · turquoise · dark green · white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber
Mix turquoise by combining blue and green with white. Vary the green for the sea by adding small amounts of yellow or blue. Create the sand color by mixing white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified shapes
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simple, expressive quality.
- →Making the colors too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Canvas or painting panel
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic glazing medium)
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a palette knife to apply paint for a more textured effect.
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