plate no. 3287
View of the sea at night
Ivan Aivazovsky, 1873
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in blending colors to create atmospheric perspective and capturing the reflective qualities of water under moonlight. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes like ships and figures into basic forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, mountains, ship, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of blues, blending lighter tones near the moon.
- step 03
Establish the mountain range using muted purples and grays, creating depth with lighter values in the distance.
- step 04
Paint the sea with varying shades of blue and green, adding highlights to represent moonlight reflecting on the waves.
- step 05
Add the ship, simplifying its structure and focusing on its silhouette against the moonlit sky.
- step 06
Paint the figures on the beach, using dark tones to define their forms.
- step 07
Refine the details of the waves and reflections, adding texture and movement.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · payne's gray
Mix blues and white for the sky, adding small amounts of crimson for the purple mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the sandy beach, and mix blues with white and a touch of yellow ochre for the moonlit water.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the ship, losing its simplified form.
- →Creating too much contrast in the mountains, flattening the perspective.
- →Making the moon too bright, overpowering the rest of the painting.
- →Not capturing the subtle color variations in the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve blending.
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