plate no. 9045
The Turn of the Tide
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice rendering draped fabric and capturing subtle color variations in water and rocks. It also provides practice in depicting a figure within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, rocks, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, sea, rocks, and figure's robe using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering colors in the sea, creating the illusion of movement and depth with horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 04
Develop the form of the rocks, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Refine the figure's robe, paying attention to the folds and drapery. Use subtle variations of white and gray to create depth.
- step 06
Add details to the figure's face and hands, capturing the expression and gesture.
- step 07
Introduce subtle color variations into the rocks and water to enhance realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
Achieve the subtle grays and whites in the robe by mixing titanium white with small amounts of raw umber and ultramarine blue. Create the sea colors by blending ultramarine blue with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color layering
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the rocks, losing the overall sense of form.
- →Making the figure's robe too flat and lacking depth.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sea.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges, rather than soft transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas with a neutral gray can be helpful.
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