plate no. 8926

Study for Storm Tide

Robert Henri, 1903

oilAmerican Realismlandscapebuildingsoceanskycloudsboatrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing atmospheric perspective. It offers practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: sky, land, buildings, and boat.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the land and buildings using dark greens, browns, and grays.
step 04
Add the ocean using blues and greens, indicating wave movement with horizontal strokes.
step 05
Begin defining the shapes of the clouds with white and light gray, paying attention to their form.
step 06
Add details to the buildings and boat, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
step 07
Introduce highlights on the water and buildings to create depth.
step 08
Refine the edges and add final touches to the clouds and rocks.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green

Mix blues and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use raw umber and white for the buildings, and mix greens with blue, yellow, and brown for the land.

techniques