plate no. 0051
The Rocks
Theo van Rysselberghe, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light pinks and blues.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the sea using greens and blues, varying the tones.
- step 04
Add the dark tones of the rocks using browns, reds, and touches of green.
- step 05
Begin building up the waves with short, directional brushstrokes of white, blue, and green.
- step 06
Layer lighter values of white and pale blue to create highlights on the waves.
- step 07
Add small touches of pink and purple to the foam for added interest.
- step 08
Refine the details of the rocks and waves, paying attention to the direction of light.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Sienna · Emerald Green
secondary · Cadmium Yellow · Alizarin Crimson · Ultramarine Blue
Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and create variations in the water by adding white or a touch of red. Achieve the rock colors by layering browns, reds, and greens.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Broken color
- ·Directional brushstrokes
- ·Wet-on-wet blending
- ·Scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to capture the movement of the water.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the rocks and waves.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·Oil paints
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retarder Medium
- ·Varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-textured canvas will work well for this style.
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