plate no. 8156

The Sky and the Ocean

Emil Carlsen, 1913

oilImpressionismmarinaoceanwavesskycloudsseascape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of a limited color palette to create a sense of mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a neutral gray or blue-gray.
step 02
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the general shapes of the waves and clouds.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, focusing on the gradations of light and dark.
step 04
Begin to define the larger wave forms with darker blues and grays, paying attention to the direction of the waves.
step 05
Add highlights to the crests of the waves using lighter blues and whites, creating a sense of movement.
step 06
Refine the cloud shapes and add subtle variations in color to create depth.
step 07
Use smaller brushstrokes to add details to the water, such as splashes and foam.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Payne's gray

secondary · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber

Mix blues and whites to create the various shades of the water and sky. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt umber to warm the grays and create subtle color variations.

techniques

·Wet-on-wet blending
·Broken color
·Scumbling
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating too much contrast and losing the atmospheric effect.
→Ignoring the direction of the light and the movement of the water.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Titanium white, Payne's gray, Yellow ochre, Burnt umber)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags