plate no. 8084

San Lorenzo beach, Gijon, Asturias, Spain

Rubén de Luis, 2021

oilImpressionismmarinabeachseabuildingsskycloudsfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides an opportunity to work on perspective and brushwork techniques to create texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue, adding white for clouds.
step 03
Establish the colors of the sea, using varying shades of blue and green.
step 04
Paint the beach with a base of yellow ochre, adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add the buildings in the background, simplifying their forms and colors.
step 06
Paint the railings and lampposts in white, paying attention to perspective.
step 07
Add details like figures on the beach and stripes on the beach huts.
step 08
Refine the brushwork and add final touches to create texture and depth.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Mix different blues and whites for the sky and sea. Use yellow ochre and white for the sand, adding burnt sienna for shadows. Mix blues and browns for the buildings.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-dry layering
·scumbling
·impasto
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can flatten the perspective.
→Failing to capture the light and atmosphere of the scene.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x24 inches)
·oil paints (cerulean blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife