plate no. 6282
Porth Kidney Beach
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing color mixing and creating subtle gradients. Students will learn to simplify a landscape into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the clouds.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of light blue, blending it smoothly.
- step 03
Add darker blues and purples to the upper sky to create depth.
- step 04
Paint the clouds with white and touches of yellow, blending the edges softly.
- step 05
Block in the beach with a base layer of light pinkish-brown.
- step 06
Add horizontal strokes of darker browns and purples to create the sand texture.
- step 07
Paint the water with a thin line of turquoise and white, blending it into the sand.
- step 08
Add final details to the clouds and sand, refining the shapes and values.
color palette
primary · light blue · white · light pinkish-brown
secondary · dark blue · purple · yellow · turquoise
Mix light blue by combining white with a touch of blue. Achieve the sand color by mixing white, brown, and a hint of pink or purple. Create the sky gradient by gradually adding more blue and purple to the base light blue.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·soft edges
- ·horizontal strokes
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Making the horizon line too harsh and defined.
- →Using too much detail in the clouds, losing the sense of simplicity.
- →Not creating enough variation in the sand color, making it look flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·light blue paint
- ·white paint
- ·light pinkish-brown paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (for oil paints)
- ·soft pastels
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils allow for more blending time.
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