plate no. 8229

Rocks in Kukeneiz

Arkady Rylov, 1909

oilSymbolismlandscaperocksseaskycoastlinevegetationsailboats

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice broken color techniques and layering to create depth and texture. It also provides an opportunity to study color temperature and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, coastline, and sea, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish a light blue base for the sky and a darker blue for the sea, blending the horizon line.
step 03
Block in the general colors of the cliffside and rocks, using a mix of yellows, browns, and grays.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the rocks, using cool blues and purples in the shadows and warmer yellows and oranges in the highlights.
step 05
Add texture to the rocks and cliffside with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the color and value.
step 06
Paint the vegetation on the cliffside with greens and yellows, using small, dabbing brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the sailboats in the distance, keeping them small and simple.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · violet

Mix blues and whites for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the rocks, adding white to lighten and blue/violet to cool the tones. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques