plate no. 3918
On the beach (Royan)
Rupert Bunny, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and atmosphere with loose brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to depict a scene with many figures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic areas of sand, sea, and sky.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color using thin washes, starting with the sky and sea.
- step 04
Add the darker values to define the figures and objects, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the details of the figures, such as clothing and faces, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges and blend colors as needed to create a soft, impressionistic effect.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · cerulean blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber for the sky and sea. Use ochre and umber for the sand. Mix crimson and white for pink hues in the figures' clothing.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a heavy, muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.
- →Making the figures too stiff and unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·cadmium yellow oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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