plate no. 2064

La Terrasse du Casino de Fécamp

Louise Abbéma, 1908

watercolorImpressionismlandscapebuildingscliffsfiguresskysealandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the essence of a scene with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: cliffs, buildings, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted wash of light blue and pale yellow.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the cliffs, using a mix of ochre, white, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the buildings, focusing on their general shapes and colors before adding details.
step 05
Add the figures with simple strokes, suggesting their forms rather than defining them precisely.
step 06
Develop the foreground terrace with a light wash of warm gray.
step 07
Add shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to achieve a harmonious balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix white with ochre and a touch of sienna for the cliffs. Use blue and crimson to create grays for the buildings and shadows. Dilute colors with water for transparent washes.

techniques