plate no. 1730

The Wave

Frantisek Kupka, 1902

gouache, watercolor, cardboardArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingwaveoceanrocksfigureskywater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering dynamic water movement and capturing subtle color variations in light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the wave, figure, and rocks.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall proportions of the scene.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the sky, water, rocks, and figure using diluted washes.
step 04
Begin building up the wave's form with layers of color, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the rocks, creating texture and depth with dry brush techniques.
step 06
Refine the figure's form and drapery, using subtle color variations to suggest light and shadow.
step 07
Add final details such as the seagull and the splashes of water around the rocks.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · payne's gray

Mix various shades of blue and white for the water, adding touches of yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warmth. Use alizarin crimson and white for the figure's skin tones, and burnt sienna and payne's gray for the rocks.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·glazing
·color layering
·rendering form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·gouache paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water container
·masking tape

optional

·palette knife
·watercolor pencils
·spray bottle
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple layers of paint. Consider using a palette knife for mixing large quantities of paint.

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