plate no. 6734

San Antonio cape, Javea, Spain

Rubén de Luis, 2020

oilImpressionismlandscapeseascaperockscliffswaterskysailboats

suitable for beginners

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

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 cliffs, rocks, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the cliffs and rocks using earth tones.
step 04
Paint the water with varying shades of blue, adding highlights and reflections.
step 05
Add details to the cliffs, including shadows and vegetation.
step 06
Refine the rocks in the foreground, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 07
Paint in the sailboats as small white triangles.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the cliffs and rocks, adding white to lighten and raw umber to darken. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·broken color
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→making the colors too uniform
→not establishing a clear light source
→incorrect perspective on the water

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green, raw umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags