I invite you to join me on a creative journey as we capture the enchanting beauty of Ruakaka Beach at the start of summer. This chapter is all about embracing a vibrant, passionate style to bring this expressive beach scene to life. We'll delve into designing with a large light effect, where the light in the center contrasts with a soft shadowed foreground and a darkened sky, creating a dynamic and punchy composition. You'll learn how to lay down a base coat of complementary colors using acrylics, enhancing the vibrancy of your painting. I'll guide you through the art of expressive brushwork, using various tools to achieve impasto effects that add depth and texture. We'll explore the technique of under-mixing paint to create unique painterly effects, and discuss the importance of varying edges—soft against sharp—to elevate your work. With step-by-step guidance and resource photos, you'll gain the skills to either follow along or apply these techniques to your own creations. Let's dive in and discover the joy of painting with passion and expression.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Passion Beach" 15x15" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Step 12Sand dunes and impasto technique
Create Shadowed Sand Dunes
Mix a grey that is slightly lighter and bluer than the dark areas already on your canvas. Consider the form and where the light and shadows will fall on the sand dunes. Apply this mix to the shadow side of the dunes, focusing on big shapes to create depth.
Add Light to Sand Dunes
Switch to a different brush, wet it first, and then dry it slightly to prevent paint from getting stuck in the ferrule. Mix white with a little yellow ochre for a soft transition, and apply a large chunk of light to the dunes. Add more yellow ochre and a spot of yellow for variety, ensuring not to overmix.
Enhance with Dark Accents
Add a few darker accents to the sand dunes, using a mix slightly darker than the initial application. This will enhance the depth and form of the dunes.
Apply Impasto Technique
Use a palette knife to add impasto texture to the dune grasses and sand. Scoop up the paint without overmixing and let it graze off onto the canvas. This technique creates shapes that are difficult to achieve with a brush.
Pro tipAlways wet your acrylic brushes first and dry them slightly to prevent paint from getting stuck in the ferrule.
Embark on your painting journey by arranging a vibrant palette and selecting a variety of brushes to create diverse marks. Begin with a high horizon line in your initial sketch to emphasize the foreground, and use expressive strokes to lay down the base coat. Layer colors thoughtfully, allowing undertones to shine through for a shimmering effect.
As you work with wet paint, consider the balance between letting layers dry and continuing to paint for dynamic mixing. Enhance the sky with darker tones for contrast, and let parts of the base coat peek through for added texture. Use half-mixed colors to create natural textures in clouds and waves, and maintain a clean palette to keep colors vibrant.
In the final stages, focus on adding depth and interest with varied brushstrokes and impasto techniques. Introduce color contrasts and random marks to bring your painting to life. Finish with fine details like seagulls and surf lines using a Rigor Brush, ensuring your Passion Beach scene captures the essence of a lively coastal landscape.
Points to remember
Use a variety of brushes to create diverse and interesting marks on your canvas.
Avoid rounding the beach corner; depict it as a sharp, knife-like shape.
Adjust the angle of your canvas to control paint dribbling and create different effects.
Efficient brush strokes can prevent muddiness when working with wet paint.
Use your brush in a variety of ways to achieve diverse textures and effects.
Leave colors half-mixed on the brush for natural texture.
Use a clean surface to avoid muddy colors when painting the ocean.
Step back every few minutes to view your painting from a distance, enhancing the perception of realism and gestural quality.
