plate no. 2418

The Cliff Light, Cape Breton

oilImpressionismlandscapecliffsoceanrocksskywavesbirds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and using broken color to create texture and form. It also encourages the use of expressive brushstrokes to capture the movement of water and clouds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cliffs, rocks, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of dark blues and grays, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the cliffs and rocks using a mix of browns, blacks, and greens.
step 04
Add highlights to the cliffs and rocks with lighter shades of beige and gray, using broken color to create texture.
step 05
Paint the ocean with layers of blues, greens, and whites, using short, choppy strokes to represent the waves.
step 06
Add white highlights to the crests of the waves to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 07
Paint the small building on the cliff with white and gray.
step 08
Add the birds in the sky with small strokes of white.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · payne's gray

Mix blues and browns for the dark tones of the cliffs and rocks. Use white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Mix blues and greens for the ocean, and add white for the waves.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brush
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can flatten the image.
→Making the highlights too bright, which can create a harsh contrast.
→Losing the sense of depth by not varying the color and value of the cliffs and rocks.
→Not capturing the movement of the water.