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Tides by Claudio Castillo

plate no. 8116

Tides

Claudio Castillo

oilExpressionismsymbolic paintingmoonskywaterabstract shapeslandscape
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and color blending to achieve depth and texture. It also encourages exploration of abstract forms and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into horizontal sections for sky, abstract shapes, water, and land.

  2. step 02

    Block in the sky with light blue and white, blending to create cloud effects. Add darker blues for the upper sky.

  3. step 03

    Paint the moon with a light gray wash, adding subtle texture with dry brushing.

  4. step 04

    Fill in the abstract shapes section with a mix of browns, blues, and oranges, creating a collage-like effect.

  5. step 05

    Paint the water section with varying shades of blue, adding white wavy lines for texture.

  6. step 06

    Create the land section with a base of orange and yellow, blending to create a sandy texture.

  7. step 07

    Add a green and brown strip to separate the water and land.

  8. step 08

    Paint the dark blue sphere in the foreground, adding swirling light blue lines for detail.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · raw umber

Mix white with blues to create various sky tones. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the sand, and mix blues and greens for the water.

techniques

  • ·wet-on-wet blending
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·layering
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →Overblending the sky, resulting in a flat appearance.
  • →Making the abstract shapes too uniform and lacking contrast.
  • →Not creating enough variation in the water's color and texture.
  • →Using too much paint, which can obscure the texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic paints
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·paper towels

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·retarder medium
  • ·varnish

Using a medium-texture canvas will help create a more interesting surface for the paint to adhere to.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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