plate no. 9385

Waves Breaking on a Rocky Coast

oilRealismmarinawavesrocksseaskybirdscoast

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic water movement and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures of rocks and waves.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, rock formations, and the general shapes of the waves.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of blues and grays, blending to create a cloudy effect.
step 03
Block in the dark values of the rocks using a mix of browns, grays, and blacks.
step 04
Begin layering the water, starting with the darker greens and blues in the deeper areas.
step 05
Add highlights to the waves using lighter shades of green and white, focusing on the crests and areas where the water is breaking.
step 06
Create the foam and spray using short, broken brushstrokes of white paint.
step 07
Paint the birds with small, precise strokes, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · viridian green · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and use white to create lighter shades and highlights. Achieve the gray tones by mixing black and white, adjusting with small amounts of blue or brown for warmth or coolness.

techniques