plate no. 6773
The Cathedral Rocks
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in mixing cool and warm tones to represent light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, horizon line, and clouds.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, varying the tone slightly.
- step 03
Establish the dark areas of the rocks with a dark brown/grey mixture.
- step 04
Paint the sea with varying shades of blue, adding white for highlights and wave crests.
- step 05
Add the lighter areas of the rocks with white mixed with a touch of brown or grey.
- step 06
Define the shapes of the rocks with bolder, more visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights to the rocks and sea to create a sense of light and reflection.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna
Mix blues and white for the sky and sea, varying the ratios for different tones. Use burnt umber and white for the rocks, adding small amounts of yellow ochre for warmer highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for dark shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Making the colors too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Not simplifying the shapes of the rocks enough.
- →Creating mud by over-mixing colors on the canvas.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·assorted flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a quick-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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