plate no. 1202

Point Lobos

oilImpressionismlandscaperocksoceantreescliffscoastlinesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using visible brushstrokes to convey movement and form. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light on different surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, cliffs, and horizon line, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the base colors for the sky and ocean using thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the rocks and cliffs, focusing on the overall light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the rocks and cliffs to create texture and dimension, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the foliage on the cliffs, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 06
Refine the colors and values in the ocean, adding highlights and shadows to suggest movement.
step 07
Add small details like the whitecaps of the waves and the distant coastline.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and green for the ocean, using white to lighten the values. Create the rock colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white, with touches of red and blue for variation.

techniques