plate no. 0184
Pequot Light House, Connecticut Coast
Robert Henri, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a cloudy day. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the lighthouse, boat, and coastline.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, water, and land with diluted washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the foreground and the lightest values in the sky to create depth.
- step 04
Develop the cloud formations with visible brushstrokes, using a range of grays and greens.
- step 05
Add details to the lighthouse and boat, paying attention to their form and light.
- step 06
Refine the coastline and foreground, adding texture and detail with dry brush techniques.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value relationships to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights to the lighthouse and sails to draw the viewer's eye.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre, viridian green, or ultramarine blue to create subtle color variations in the sky and water.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the colors too saturated and bright.
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
- →Not simplifying the complex shapes of the clouds and coastline.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.
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