plate no. 8079

HMS St Andrew at sea in a moderate breeze

oilBaroquemarinashipsseacloudssailswaterflags

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering complex forms like ships with sails. It also provides practice in creating the illusion of movement in water and clouds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the ships and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, creating soft cloud formations.
step 03
Establish the base color of the sea with darker blues and browns, indicating wave patterns.
step 04
Paint the main ship, focusing on the hull's color and details, including the decorative elements.
step 05
Add the sails, using off-whites and grays, paying attention to their shape and curvature.
step 06
Paint the other ships in the background, reducing detail to create depth.
step 07
Refine the water, adding highlights and shadows to suggest movement and texture.
step 08
Add final details to the ships, such as rigging and flags.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · ivory black

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use raw umber and white for the sea, adding blues and blacks for depth. Mix yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the ship's hull.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering details

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details on the background ships, which can flatten the perspective.
→Making the waves too uniform, which can look unnatural.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which can detract from the overall mood.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the sky and sea.