plate no. 9363

Moonlight on the Coast

oilImpressionismmarinacoastseawavesskycloudsbeach

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and rendering the effects of light reflecting on water. It also provides practice in using broken color and visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.

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, indicating the horizon line, coastline, and major landforms.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky, focusing on capturing the subtle gradations of color and the soft edges of the clouds.
step 04
Work on the distant landmass, paying attention to atmospheric perspective and softening the edges.
step 05
Develop the water, using broken color and directional brushstrokes to suggest the movement and texture of the waves.
step 06
Add highlights to the water to capture the moonlight's reflection, using thicker paint and brighter colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, including the rocks and beach, adding texture and variation.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Achieve the muted greens and blues by mixing ultramarine blue with yellow ochre and white. Use burnt umber to darken the values and create shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow to create the reflected light on the water.

techniques