Storm Tossed Coast

Storm Tossed Coast
Acrylic
12" x 16" canvas

 

The acrylic painting above is an excellent example of a subject in which to use a palette knife instead of a brush.  The texture the palette knife provides enhances the storm tossed look of the scene.  The painting above can be painted using a brush; however, in this case, the painting instructions will be given using a palette knife. 

 

Supplies Needed:

Canvas panel – I used a stretched canvas on my painting; however, a canvas panel with a harder surface may be easier for a beginner.  A canvas will have some “give” and a canvas panel will be a hard, non-moving surface.

Palette knife:  one or more – your choice

Palette or disposable palette paper

Acrylic Paint:

• Cerulean Blue
• Cobalt Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• White
• Orange
• Crimson
• Sepia
• Burnt Umber
• VanDyke Brown
• Sap Green
• Yellow Ochre
  

 

Painting Instructions:

Lightly sketch in the painting with very little detail.  Sketch the placement of the rocky cliffs, rocks in the foreground and the horizon.  Other details are not necessary and will be covered up when the top layer of paint is applied.

 

Sky and Clouds:

Using the palette knife, paint in the sky by spreading Cobalt Blue and Cerulean Blue across the canvas from left to right at a slight angle towards the cliffs and the horizon.  Work the colors together with the palette knife.  Allow to dry.

 

Swirl in the clouds with white paint using sweeping strokes of the palette knife.   Additional clouds will be added later.  See photo below for reference.

 

 

Cliffs:

Spread in a base coat of Burnt Umber and VanDyke Brown on the cliffs.  Pull and drag the palette knife to apply the paint.   Add Yellow Ochre on the flat area at the top of the cliffs.  Dot in some areas of green to indicate foliage.    

 

Water and Waves:

Using the same colors as the sky, work in the water using the palette knife in a pulling motion to indicate movement of the water.  Deepen the color of the water where it meets the rocks in the foreground.  Work carefully around the rocks in the water.  However, white spray will be pulled over parts of the rocks and the cliff.    Refer to photo below.  Allow water to dry.

 

Apply white paint in small amounts with the edge of the palette knife on the tops of some of the waves.  Using your finger pull some white paint up on the cliff and the rocks.  Allow the rock to show through. 

 

Add additional white to the clouds at this time as well using your finger as well as the palette knife.  See photo below.

 

 

Foreground Rocks:

Using Crimson and Orange, paint in the foreground rocks mixing with VanDyke Brown and Burnt Umber.  Ultramarine is added to deepen the color.  Allow the Crimson and Orange paint to dry, then drag the darker browns over the top scraping to allow some of the Crimson and Orange to show through.    Refer to painting above.  Allow to dry.

 

Details:

Add some spray where the water hits the rocks on the shore and in the water with white paint and your finger.  Use just a small amount of paint.  A finger is perfect for this affect as a palette knife can apply too much paint and the finger adds texture. 

 

Review your painting – step back to see the overall painting and add any additional paint as needed.

 

Sign your painting!  Congratulations!

 

Happy Painting!

Karen