plate no. 6005

The Day after the Storm

oilRealismlandscapecliffsbeachskycloudsbirdsrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating texture with brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing earth tones and depicting natural light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cliffs, beach, and sky, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the main value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the colors of the sky and clouds, blending the tones to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Work on the cliffs, layering different shades of brown and green to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the beach and rocks, using smaller brushes to create individual stones and pebbles.
step 06
Introduce highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the cliffs and rocks.
step 07
Paint the birds, paying attention to their size and placement to create a sense of scale.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and realistic effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix various browns and greens by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques