plate no. 4426

Summer Sea, Newquay, Cornwall

Albert Julius Olsson, 1920

oilImpressionismmarinaseawavesrockscoastlineskywater

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice capturing the movement of water and the subtle color variations in a seascape. Students will learn to mix muted tones and create texture with 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 composition, indicating the horizon line, coastline, and major rock formations.
step 02
Block in the sky with light, muted yellows and grays, blending softly.
step 03
Establish the base color of the sea with a mix of blues, greens, and whites.
step 04
Begin building up the wave forms with thicker paint, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the waves with white and pale yellow, focusing on areas where the light catches the water.
step 06
Paint the rocks with browns and grays, adding texture with dry brush techniques.
step 07
Refine the details of the waves and rocks, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · viridian green

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create subtle variations in the water and sky. Mix burnt umber with blues and greens to create the darker tones in the rocks.

techniques