plate no. 2174
Le Tréport, France
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and in using loose brushstrokes to create texture and form. It's a good exercise in capturing a scene with an impressionistic style.
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 cliffs, sea, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky and sea with light blue and green washes.
- step 03
Establish the main shapes of the cliffs using light browns, purples, and whites.
- step 04
Add the figures on the beach, using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 05
Develop the details of the sand, using a mix of white, beige, and light purple.
- step 06
Refine the colors and values in the cliffs, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add details to the figures, such as clothing and hair, using small brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · raw umber
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve the subtle variations in the cliffs and sand by mixing white with small amounts of the other colors. Use a limited palette to maintain color harmony.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the cliffs and sand.
- →Making the figures too detailed and distracting from the overall scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes size 2-6
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to maintain color harmony.
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