plate no. 1812
Marine Landscape (The Cape and Dunes of Saint-Quentin)
Jules Dupre, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, rendering dynamic water, and capturing the mood of a stormy seascape. It also provides practice in blending and layering techniques to create depth and texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the cliffs and clouds.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and sea, using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the cloud formations, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details to the cliffs, using a variety of earth tones and textures.
- step 05
Begin to build up the waves, using broken brushstrokes and highlights to create movement.
- step 06
Refine the details of the water, adding foam and reflections.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the waves and cliffs.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · payne's gray
Achieve the dark, stormy sky by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and a touch of payne's gray. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix earth tones with white to create the cliff colors.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Making the waves look static and lifeless.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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