Join me on a painting adventure to one of my favorite spots, Point Lobos in California, where the beauty of nature unfolds in a breathtaking coastal scene. In this chapter, we'll explore the art of capturing the stunning impressionistic view using big brushes and the powerful technique of contre-jour lighting, or 'against the light.' This method, favored by the French and renowned galleries, creates a dramatic effect by positioning the primary light source behind the subject, resulting in striking silhouettes, glowing highlights, and atmospheric depth. As we paint, you'll learn to control values to balance high contrast, ensuring subtle variations in dark areas and avoiding harshness in the brightest spots. This approach not only enhances mood and mystery but also brings a sense of depth and warmth to your landscape. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced painter, I'll guide you step by step through this process in oils, though it's perfectly adaptable for acrylics. In just two hours, you'll have a beautiful coastal painting, or you can choose to expand your vision into a larger masterpiece. Let's pay homage to Mother Nature's generosity and bring this scene to life with glowing light and vibrant colors.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Point Lobos" 20 x 47" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Step 3Establishing Foreground Elements
Suggest Trees with Phthalo Blue
Add a tiny touch of phthalo blue to your brush, being cautious as it's a very strong color. Use it to suggest some of the trees at the top of the painting.
Create Atmospheric Background
Switch to a clean brush and dip it into Gamsol solvent. Paint the second headland slightly darker than intended to create an atmospheric effect. This will be adjusted later with lighter colors for a shimmering look.
Work Forward with Ocean Colors
Use walnut oil instead of solvent as you move forward in the painting. Apply thicker paint to create a sunlit turquoise color in the turbulent water, capturing the light effect.
Allow Paint to Dry
Let the paint tack up or dry for half an hour to an hour before continuing. This ensures stability for the next layer without mixing too much with the underlying paint.
Tone Down Colors
Mix Burnt Sienna, yellow ochre, a little white, and a touch of blue to create a more greyed-down version of the color. Apply this to tone down the strong colors and prepare for the lighting effect.
Establish Lighting Effect
Add more burnt sienna to create a warm light effect, transitioning into reds and then blues. This base coat will support the lighting effect and will be refined in later layers.
Pro tipUse walnut oil instead of solvent for thicker paint application in the ocean section to capture the sunlit turquoise effect.
Embark on your painting journey by thoughtfully planning your composition. Begin with a sketch using your preferred drawing tool, focusing on the main elements like a prominent tree or a striking headland. Incorporate dynamic diagonals and off-balance elements to infuse motion into your scene. Consider the play of light, especially the sun glow, to add warmth and depth, and ensure a clear distinction between foreground and background to guide the viewer's eye.
As you lay down the initial layers, use thin applications of paint to allow for adjustments and layering. Establish your background with warm tones, and gradually build up the foreground elements with careful color transitions. Use walnut oil for thicker applications, especially in areas capturing the sunlit turquoise of the ocean. Pay attention to atmospheric effects, varying shadow shapes to avoid repetition and enhance realism.
In the final stages, focus on detailing and enhancing textures. Use a combination of brushes to create realistic water effects and foam, maintaining a clean brush to prevent unwanted color mixing. Add depth with reflections and subtle color transitions, and utilize impasto techniques to emphasize focal points like the foreground tree. As you finish, ensure your glowing areas are vibrant and your distant trees add depth and contrast, completing a dynamic and atmospheric scene.
Points to remember
Use diagonals and off-balance elements to create motion in your composition.
Apply initial layers thinly for easy adjustments and layering.
Use walnut oil instead of solvent for thicker paint applications.
Avoid repetitive patterns in shadow shapes by varying their forms.
Keep your brush clean while detailing foam to prevent unwanted color mixing.
Gradually darken the color as you work outward from the center to create a glowing effect.
Vary the size and angle of your brushstrokes to create a natural look for distant trees.
Use impasto technique to create texture, making the tree the focal point of the scene.
