plate no. 8266
The First of the Ebb, the Sailor and the Sea
Edward Wadsworth, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating smooth gradients and painting geometric shapes with clean edges. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures, such as wood and rope.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line and the major shapes.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the sea.
- step 03
Add the wooden beam and the objects hanging from it, paying attention to their shapes and proportions.
- step 04
Paint the details of the dock and the boat in the background.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 06
Add the details of the fishing lures and the ropes.
- step 07
Finish by adding any final touches and details.
color palette
primary · sky blue · tan · red
secondary · white · green · yellow
Mix various shades of blue for the sky and sea by adding white or a touch of green. Achieve the tan color by mixing yellow, brown, and white. Use red as an accent color for the lures and other details.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·blending
- ·geometric shapes
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →uneven color mixing
- →inaccurate proportions
- →muddy colors
- →overworking details
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·ruler
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time and ease of use.
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