plate no. 6881

Pushing Off the Boat at Sea Bright, New Jersey

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingbeachfiguresboatwavesskywater

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice capturing light and atmosphere, as well as rendering figures in a naturalistic setting. Students can also learn to create a sense of depth and movement through brushwork and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boat, figures, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, sea, sand, and boat.
step 03
Begin to define the shapes of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 04
Add details to the boat, including the oars and any visible equipment.
step 05
Develop the waves, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest movement and texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the figures and boat to create form.
step 08
Add final details, such as the reflections in the water and the small boats in the distance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and sea. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the sand and boat. Add small amounts of red and green to create subtle color variations.

techniques