plate no. 7159
Off The Needles, Isle of Wight
Albert Julius Olsson, 1905
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective to suggest distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, land, and sea.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin layering the sky with various shades of blue, gray, and white to create cloud formations.
- step 04
Paint the island, focusing on the subtle color variations in the cliffs and vegetation.
- step 05
Develop the sea with layers of blues, greens, and whites, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest waves.
- step 06
Add highlights to the water to create a sense of light and movement.
- step 07
Include the small boats in the distance, paying attention to their scale and placement.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding touches of raw umber for the darker areas. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the island's vegetation. Mix blues and greens with white for the water, adding burnt sienna for warmer tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·wet-on-wet blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, leading to a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a garish painting.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating form and light.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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