plate no. 9867

Ocean from a Window

Richard Diebenkorn, 1959

oil, canvasExpressionismlandscapeoceanlandscapewindowfieldskycup

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve muted tones and layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the window frame.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ocean, field, and foreground.
step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Mix subtle variations of green and yellow for the field, and blues for the sky and ocean.
step 05
Add details to the window frame and the cup in the foreground.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, paying attention to the overall balance of the composition.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna. Create the sky and ocean blues by mixing cerulean blue with ultramarine blue and titanium white.

techniques

·color blocking
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can flatten the image.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations within each area.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform, which can look unnatural.
→Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on small details.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (cerulean blue, sap green, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags