plate no. 4508

Sketching by the Sea

Milton Avery, 1944

oilExpressionismmarinafiguresoceanrockswavesbeachsketching

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students can learn to capture a scene's essence with minimal detail and expressive brushwork.

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 rocks, figures, and wave.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ocean, rocks, and figures.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the figures and add details like hats and sketchbooks.
step 04
Add the wave details using broken brushstrokes and varying shades of white and blue.
step 05
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add final details and highlights to the rocks and figures.
step 07
Soften edges where needed to blend colors.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining cerulean blue and yellow ochre. Create various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with white, yellow ochre, or raw sienna. Achieve the wave's color by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber.

techniques

·color blocking
·broken color
·dry brushing
·simplified shapes
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
→Using too much detail in the wave, making it look flat.
→Not capturing the correct proportions of the figures.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·easel
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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