plate no. 4440

Study, St. Malo, No. 12

Maurice Prendergast, 1907

oil, panelImpressionismlandscapebeachboatsseaskyfiguresbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing the essence of a scene with simplified forms and expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into foreground (beach), middle ground (sea), and background (sky).
step 02
Block in the main color areas for each section using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start adding details to the sky, using short, broken brushstrokes to represent clouds and light.
step 04
Develop the sea with varying shades of blue and green, reflecting the sky and the beach.
step 05
Paint the beach area, focusing on the shapes and colors of the beach huts, figures, and flags.
step 06
Add details to the boats, using small brushstrokes to suggest their forms and reflections.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of harmony and depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue and green for the sea by combining ultramarine blue, viridian green, and white. Create warm tones for the beach by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them enough.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Neglecting the importance of value contrast in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red, viridian green)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette knife