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 6Painting Wave Recession
Create Wave Shapes
Use a nylon filbert brush to paint subtle wave shapes. Mix a color slightly lighter than the surface, similar to the sky or atmosphere. Hold the brush at the top to create a crisp edge at the bottom and a softer edge at the top.
Blend Wave Reflections
Join the wave shapes together, allowing the paint to mix with the darker paint already on the canvas. This will create darker reflections as the angle changes closer to the horizon.
Adjust Wave Angles
Change the angle of the wave shapes as they approach the horizon. Make the angles steeper near the horizon and shallower and smaller in the foreground.
Understand Wave Recession
Use the horizon as a reference for wave size. A wave halfway to the horizon should be half the size of a similar wave closer to you. Repeat this halving process as you move towards the horizon to create a realistic wave recession.
Pro tipHold the brush at the top to achieve a crisp edge at the bottom of the wave and a softer edge at the top.
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.
