plate no. 4895

Manly Beach, Summer is Here

Ethel Carrick, 1913

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbeachfiguresoceansandskycoastline

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape and capturing the effects of light and atmosphere using impressionistic brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the coastline, and the general placement of the figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and sea with broad strokes, blending colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the large areas of sand, using a mix of warm and cool tones to suggest the texture and variations in color.
step 04
Begin adding the figures, focusing on their shapes and gestures rather than precise details.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the clothing and features of the figures, varying the colors to create visual interest.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the figures and the sand to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the coastline and the lifeguard tower, using smaller brushes to add texture and definition.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the sandy tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Mix blues and greens with white to create the various shades of the ocean and sky. Use small amounts of red and green to create neutral tones for shadows.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·color mixing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→getting bogged down in details too early
→over-blending the colors
→not varying the brushstrokes
→making the figures too uniform

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·acrylic or oil paints
·#2 round brush
·#6 flat brush
·#10 flat brush
·palette
·linseed oil (if using oils)
·palette knife

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits

Using a slightly textured canvas can help to create a more impressionistic effect. Acrylics are a good option for beginners due to their fast drying time.

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