plate no. 8132

Young Spruces, Maine Coast

Rockwell Kent, 1955

oilAmerican Realismlandscapetreesoceanrockslandscapeskycoast

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing color mixing to achieve subtle gradations and for understanding how light and shadow define form. Recreating this will help students develop skills in layering and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, rock, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, ocean, rock, and foreground.
step 03
Establish the basic value structure of the rock, defining the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Begin refining the colors of the sky and ocean, blending to create smooth gradations.
step 05
Add details to the foreground, including the grass and small plants.
step 06
Paint the trees, paying attention to the shapes of the branches and needles.
step 07
Add highlights to the water and the edges of the rocks to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix blues and whites for the sky and ocean, adding yellow ochre for the horizon glow. Use umber, sienna, and white for the rocks, and greens and yellows for the foliage. Mix dark greens with umber and blue, and lighten with yellow.

techniques