plate no. 8584

Summer Squall

Winslow Homer, 1904

oil, canvasRealismmarinaoceanwavesrocksboatskystorm

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic water movement and creating atmospheric perspective using a limited color palette. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of rocks and the interplay of light and shadow in a marine environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, the position of the rocks, and the general shape of the waves.
step 02
Establish the dark, moody sky with a mix of dark greens, blues, and grays, blending the colors smoothly.
step 03
Block in the dark masses of the waves using similar dark tones, paying attention to the direction and flow of the water.
step 04
Add highlights to the waves using white mixed with small amounts of the dark greens and blues to create the foamy crests.
step 05
Paint the rocks with a base of dark brown and add highlights and shadows to define their form and texture.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to depict the splashing water around the rocks, blending the white with the surrounding colors.
step 07
Add the small boat in the distance, keeping it simple and dark to maintain atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and drama.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Payne's Gray

Mix Prussian Blue and Burnt Umber to achieve the deep greens and blues of the ocean and sky. Use Titanium White to create highlights and foam, mixing it with small amounts of the other colors to maintain color harmony.

techniques

·Dry brushing
·Scumbling
·Wet-on-wet blending
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the sense of spontaneity.
→Making the highlights too bright and creating a harsh contrast.
→Failing to capture the movement and energy of the waves.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Payne's Gray)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife