plate no. 0150

On the Oregon Coast

T. C. Steele, 1902

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapebeachcliffsoceanfiguresskyrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle atmospheric effects and in using broken color to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cliffs, horizon line, and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of muted blues, pinks, and yellows.
step 03
Establish the main masses of the cliffs using a mix of browns, reds, and purples, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the ocean with varying shades of blue and purple, adding white for the breaking waves.
step 05
Add the beach with a mix of yellows, oranges, and browns, varying the color to suggest wet and dry sand.
step 06
Introduce the rocks and seaweed with darker tones of green and brown.
step 07
Add the figures on the beach with small touches of color, suggesting their forms without excessive detail.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and atmosphere.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of light and shadow.
→Neglecting the atmospheric perspective, causing the background to appear too sharp.