plate no. 7118
Marina
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students will learn to suggest detail with minimal brushstrokes and capture the essence of a scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and basic shapes of the land, boats, and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a mix of blues, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
- step 03
Paint the water with varying shades of blue and turquoise, using horizontal strokes.
- step 04
Add the landmass with ochre and yellow, defining the edges with darker tones.
- step 05
Paint the boats and buildings using simplified shapes and colors like white, red, and brown.
- step 06
Add reflections in the water using similar colors to the objects above.
- step 07
Use thin lines to represent masts and other details.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add subtle variations in color to create depth.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · turquoise
Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the land. Mix white with small amounts of blue or turquoise for the water reflections.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified shapes
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the painting.
- →Making the colors too saturated and not achieving the muted tones.
- →Not capturing the reflections accurately.
- →Creating too much contrast and losing the overall harmony.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brush #4
- ·flat brush #8
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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