plate no. 7876

Moonlight, St Ives' Bay, Cornwall

Albert Julius Olsson, 1937

oilImpressionismmarinaoceanwavesbeachcloudstreesmoonlight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing atmospheric perspective and creating the illusion of light reflecting on water. It also provides practice in using brushstrokes to define form and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of dark colors, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin blocking in the sky, blending the dark blues and grays to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Paint the ocean, using horizontal brushstrokes to indicate the movement of the water and adding highlights to represent the moonlight.
step 05
Add the details of the waves, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and foam.
step 06
Paint the beach and foreground elements, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and interest.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark tones of the sky and ocean. Add white to create lighter values and viridian green to create the greenish hues in the water. Use yellow ochre to warm up the sand and create highlights.

techniques