plate no. 3691

Walking on Sand

Henry Tonks, 1910

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurebeachskycloudssandlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and capturing figures in motion with minimal detail. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in seemingly monochromatic environments like sand.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figure, horizon line, and major cloud formations.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted ochre and raw sienna to the entire sand area.
step 03
While the sand wash is still wet, drop in darker tones of burnt umber and violet to create variations and shadows.
step 04
Paint the sky with diluted blues and grays, allowing the colors to blend and create soft cloud edges.
step 05
Use a light pink wash for the figure's dress, adding darker accents of violet and brown for shadows and folds.
step 06
Define the figure's features and clothing details with quick, loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the figure's shadow using a mix of burnt umber and violet.
step 08
Let dry completely and add final details and adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · violet · ochre · light pink

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use plenty of water to achieve the desired transparency and soft edges.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·color mixing
·glazing
·loose brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much paint and creating muddy colors.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the sand.
→Making the figure too stiff and static.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paints
·Watercolor paper 140lb
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes #4, #8)
·Flat watercolor brush (size #1)
·Water container
·Palette
·Paper towels
·Pencil

optional

·Masking fluid
·Spray bottle
·Palette knife

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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