plate no. 3797

The Breakwater of San Sebastian

Joaquín Sorolla, 1918

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapeseawavesskycloudsfigurescoastline

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing dynamic movement and atmospheric perspective using loose brushstrokes and a limited color palette. It also provides practice in suggesting figures with minimal detail.

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 sky, land, and sea.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the sea and the shadows of the landmass.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, suggesting cloud formations.
step 04
Begin layering the sea, capturing the movement of the waves with horizontal and diagonal strokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the waves using white mixed with small amounts of blue or gray.
step 06
Paint in the figures in the foreground using simple shapes and muted colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the landmass, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches to the waves and sky, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of blue or umber. Achieve the brown hues of the land by mixing umber, ochre, and a touch of red. The sky is achieved by mixing white, blue, and a hint of purple.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the freshness and spontaneity of the original.
→Creating a flat, lifeless sea by not varying the values and brushstrokes.
→Making the figures too detailed, drawing attention away from the overall scene.
→Failing to capture the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.