plate no. 6786
Sand Castle
Maurice Denis, 1909
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in capturing figures in a landscape with simplified forms and bold brushstrokes. Students can learn to create depth using color temperature and value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, sand, and mountains.
- step 03
Add the figures, simplifying their forms into basic shapes.
- step 04
Define the waves with short, broken strokes of white and blue.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, such as stripes on their bathing suits.
- step 06
Use small strokes of contrasting colors to create texture in the sand and mountains.
- step 07
Refine the edges and shapes of the figures and objects.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt sienna
Mix various shades of blue and green for the sea. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix red and yellow for the skin tones.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·simplified forms
- ·color temperature
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the figures too realistic and detailed.
- →Not simplifying the forms enough.
- →Ignoring the color temperature and value changes to create depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic gesso
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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