plate no. 8242

Sea Treasures

Winifred Nicholson, 1952

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapeseascapestill lifeseashellsflowersoceanrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and practicing loose, expressive brushwork. Students will also learn to balance a still life with a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the window frame, and the placement of the still life elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, sea, and foreground using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the sky with layers of gray and white, blending to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Add details to the sea, including highlights and shadows to suggest waves and movement.
step 05
Paint the still life elements, focusing on capturing their shapes and colors with loose brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the window frame, using variations in tone to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, including the sand and any rocks or debris.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting to create a sense of unity and harmony.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · payne's gray

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sea and sky. Use yellow ochre and white for the sand. Mix crimson and yellow for the orange tones in the shells.

techniques