plate no. 1587

Playa

Carlos Nadal, 1984

oilFauvismcityscapebeachboatsbuildingsfiguresskywater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and form. It's also a good exercise in color mixing and understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of yellow, orange, and white, blending slightly.
step 03
Paint the sea with dark blues and whites, using horizontal strokes to suggest waves.
step 04
Establish the beach area with a mix of browns, yellows, and whites, varying the tones to create depth.
step 05
Add the buildings and figures, using simplified shapes and bold colors.
step 06
Paint the boats in the sea, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 07
Add details like the umbrellas, flags, and other small elements.
step 08
Refine the brushwork and color variations to capture the expressive style of the original.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · black

Mix browns from umber and blue, and use white to create lighter tints of all colors. Achieve the sky colors by blending yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red.

techniques

·broken color
·expressive brushstrokes
·simplified forms
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details instead of focusing on the overall impression.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·acrylic paints
·#8 flat brush
·#4 round brush
·palette
·palette knife
·water container
·rags

optional

·painting medium (retarder)
·easel
·apron

Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time, which allows for layering and expressive brushwork. A retarder medium can help to keep the paints wet for longer, allowing for more blending.

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