plate no. 0966
Landscape in Cala Sant Vicenç Mallorca
Rubén de Luis, 2022
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in capturing reflections in water and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can learn to mix colors to represent the varying shades of water and distant mountains.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boats, mountains, and shoreline.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light, muted blue.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the water, a mix of turquoise and green.
- step 04
Paint the distant mountains with a light purple-grey, using lighter tones for areas further away.
- step 05
Add the cliffs and rocks, using warm yellows and oranges.
- step 06
Paint the boats, focusing on their shapes and reflections in the water.
- step 07
Add details to the boats, such as the masts and lettering.
- step 08
Refine the reflections and add final details to the water and shoreline.
color palette
primary · turquoise · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · purple
Mix turquoise by combining ultramarine blue and yellow ochre with white. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and white, adjusting the ratios for lighter and darker tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the water, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Making the reflections too symmetrical.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and mountains.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a quick-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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