plate no. 4870

The White Squall

Albert Julius Olsson, 1903

oilImpressionismmarinaoceanwavescloudsskystormseascape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement and texture of water with loose brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the horizon line and basic shapes of the clouds and waves.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with thin washes of color, focusing on the sky and the general tone of the water.
step 03
Build up the cloud forms with layers of white, gray, and touches of blue and pink, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Define the wave structure with darker blues and greens in the troughs and lighter blues and whites on the crests.
step 05
Add highlights to the waves with thick, broken brushstrokes to simulate the sparkle of sunlight.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details such as small birds or distant ships to enhance the sense of scale and depth.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

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

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water. Use raw umber and white for the darker clouds. Add alizarin crimson to white for subtle pink hues in the clouds.

techniques