plate no. 2410

Incoming Tide

oilImpressionismmarinaoceanwavesrockssunsetskycoastline

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice blending colors to create atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of water with loose brushstrokes. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, sea, and landmasses.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of the sun.
step 03
Block in the sky with light blues, pinks, and yellows, blending them softly.
step 04
Lay in the base color of the sea using muted greens and blues, varying the tones to suggest depth.
step 05
Add darker values to the rocks and landmasses, paying attention to their shapes and contours.
step 06
Begin adding highlights to the waves and reflections of the sun on the water.
step 07
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the water and the foam of the waves.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · burnt umber · sap green

Mix muted greens and blues for the water by combining cerulean blue, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the sunset colors by blending cadmium orange with yellow ochre and titanium white.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken brushstrokes
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to suggest the movement of water.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.