plate no. 8193
The Wave
Victor Pasmore, 1944
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for subtle tonal variations, and capturing the mood of a seascape with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a toned ground (e.g., a thin wash of burnt umber).
- step 02
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, wave shapes, and any land masses.
- step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, capturing the subtle color gradations.
- step 04
Establish the base colors of the sea and beach, focusing on value relationships.
- step 05
Develop the wave forms with layers of color, using broken brushstrokes to suggest movement.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details, such as reflections and textures.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust colors.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium orange · viridian
Achieve the atmospheric effects by mixing blues with browns and white for muted tones. Use small amounts of orange and yellow to create sunset hues.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sky and sea.
- →Ignoring the importance of value relationships in creating depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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