The Art of Basic Oil Painting: Master techniques for painting stunning works of art in oil-step by step (Collector's Series)

For this painting of Hanalei Bay in Kauai, Hawaii, I compiled several reference photos and chose elements that appealed to me most from each. As an artist, you shouldn’t feel constrained to replicate exactly from reference photos—if you want to change or add something you should. The freedom is yours.

I start by toning my canvas with thinned yellow ochre. I prefer linen canvas mounted to hard board (Gator Board). On larger paintings like this, I sometimes draw grid lines to help me paint more accurately. Working with a thinned mixture of alizarin crimson and sap green, I sketch out a basic drawing of the mountains and bay, using a No. 6 filbert brush. I establish a horizon line and pay close attention to perspective, depth, and placement of the visual elements. Figures tend to draw the attention of the viewer, so I take my time drawing them and try to add character and movement to their poses.

Palette

A filbert brush gives you the versatility of a thin-line, calligraphic, or broad stroke, depending on how you turn it in your hand.