plate no. 7715

Tamarama Beach, forty years ago, a summer morning

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbeachrocksskylandscapewater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on figures and landscapes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color mixing and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major rock formations.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, blended wash of pale blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape with muted greens and browns, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering the rocks in the foreground, using darker tones and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the figures, starting with the shadows and gradually adding highlights to define their forms.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 07
Add the small details like the white cloth and the moon.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm tones for the rocks and sand. Add alizarin crimson to create subtle pinks for the figures' skin tones.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the sense of depth.
→Using too much detail on the figures, making them stand out too much from the landscape.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the rocks and sand.
→Creating harsh lines and edges, which can detract from the overall softness of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags