plate no. 5660

Open Bay, Hudson River

oilTonalismmarinaskycloudswaterboatslandscapecoastline

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning soft blending techniques and creating atmospheric perspective. Students will practice simplifying a landscape into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the cloud, landmass, and boats.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Paint the water with a darker blue, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Add the distant landmass with muted browns and grays, focusing on soft edges.
step 05
Paint the large cloud with white, adding shadows with light gray and blue.
step 06
Add the boats with simple strokes, reflecting their shapes in the water.
step 07
Refine the details of the clouds and water, paying attention to the light and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights to the water and boats to create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix blues with white to create the sky and water. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create the landmass. Add a touch of blue to the white for the cloud shadows.

techniques