plate no. 6082
Nenes Ballant a Costat Del Mar
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice color mixing to achieve subtle atmospheric effects and learn how to simplify figures in a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, and land, using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the sky with subtle gradations of color, blending from light to dark.
- step 04
Add the figures, starting with basic shapes and gradually refining the details.
- step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the figures' clothing, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 06
Add details to the landscape, such as grass and small flowers.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
secondary · raw umber · sap green · cadmium yellow light
Mix muted greens and browns for the landscape by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and ultramarine blue. Achieve the sky's soft hues by blending ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, and titanium white.
techniques
- ·color blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified figure painting
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the figures.
- →Creating too much contrast, losing the soft, atmospheric effect.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Pre-tinting the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber can help create a unified color harmony.
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