plate no. 8665

Oceanide

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfigurehairoceanwavesboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering flowing forms and creating a sense of movement with line and color. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing and creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

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, focusing on the placement of the figure, boats, and waves.
step 02
Establish the background sky and sea with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering the hair, using light, feathery strokes to create volume and movement.
step 04
Define the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shading and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the waves, using short, broken strokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 06
Paint the boats in the background, keeping them soft and indistinct.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding subtle details.
step 08
Add final highlights to the hair and waves to create a sense of luminosity.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · cadmium red light · sap green

Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of secondary colors into the primary colors. Use white to create lighter tones and thin washes.

techniques