plate no. 0056
The girl at the sea
Hanno Karlhuber, 2008
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create subtle gradations in the sky and sea. It also provides practice in rendering a figure in a simple, realistic style.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the horizon line and the placement of the figure and furniture.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, sea, beach, and foreground.
- step 03
Establish the basic values in the sky, creating a gradient from light to dark.
- step 04
Add details to the sea, including the subtle waves and reflections.
- step 05
Refine the figure, focusing on the folds of the dress and the shape of the hair.
- step 06
Paint the table and chairs, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the glass on the table and the texture of the beach.
- step 08
Adjust colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna
Mix blues and whites for the sky and sea, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna to create subtle variations. Use raw umber and white for the beach and foreground, and mix greens for the table and chairs.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color blending
- ·rendering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Failing to create a smooth gradient in the sky.
- →Making the figure too detailed or realistic.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sea and beach.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the atmospheric effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics are easier to clean up, but oils allow for more blending time.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
