plate no. 0854

Moraira, Alicante, Spain

Rubén de Luis, 2022

oilImpressionismlandscapeseabuildingstreesskycoastlinelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a landscape with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes of the land, buildings, and sea.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, and the sea with a darker blue, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Add the basic shapes of the landmass and trees using muted greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the buildings with white, adding subtle shadows to define their forms.
step 05
Develop the texture of the coastline with varied browns and tans, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the water to suggest waves and reflections.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and buildings, adding small touches of color and texture.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of colors and values.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · cadmium orange

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create earth tones by mixing brown with white and small amounts of blue or yellow. Achieve the light blue of the sky by mixing white with a touch of cerulean blue.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the impressionistic style.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them sufficiently.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat or muddy painting.
→Not simplifying the complex shapes of the landscape.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (cerulean blue, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green)
·round brushes (#2, #6)
·flat brush (#8)
·palette knife
·palette
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits