plate no. 8447

Scoglio a Scilla

oilExpressionismmarinarockseawaterskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto and broken color techniques, as well as understanding how to depict light and texture using visible brushstrokes.

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 rock and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of color to establish the overall tones of the sky, water, and rock.
step 03
Begin building up the texture of the rock with thick, short brushstrokes, using a variety of dark browns, greens, and blacks.
step 04
Add highlights to the rock using lighter shades of brown and green.
step 05
Paint the water with horizontal strokes of blue, green, and white, varying the direction and intensity of the strokes to create a sense of movement.
step 06
Add small touches of yellow and orange to the water to represent reflections of light.
step 07
Refine the details of the rock and water, paying attention to the way the light interacts with the surfaces.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · black

Mix blues and white for the sky and water. Use burnt umber and black as a base for the rock, adding greens and yellows for highlights. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Dry brushing
·Scumbling
·Layering

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Not varying the direction and intensity of the brushstrokes enough.
→Failing to capture the texture of the rock.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color in the water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green, black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags