Figures on the beach

Name: Figures on the beach
Rating: 4.4 (2 reviews)

Paint figures, water, and reflections using bold colour and confident brushwork.

Created byLeanne Pearson

Last updated 6/2025

English

What you'll learn

How to tell a story through your artwork using reference photos
How to create a new composition by combining two images
Drawing with mass and tone rather than line
Using a gridded photo as a drawing guide
A step-by-step painting process from start to finish
Painting figures, water, sand, and reflections
Strategic use of highlights to create visual impact
Colour mixing — including greying colours with complementaries
Balancing joyful, clean colours with earthy tones
Keeping contrast strong by preserving light values
Creating a monochrome underpainting as a base
Preparing colour mixes in advance for smoother painting flow
Freezing oils to keep them fresh between sessions

Course content

1 section • 6 lectures • 1h 38m total length

Drawing with Paint: Laying the Foundation (Part 1)10:00
This section is found in the apprentice basics along with a short video on how to grid. It shows you how to get your basic shapes in place and to draw with paint from there. You can draw with pencil,charcoal or paint to get your initial shapes in place. The next step is to create a tonal map in paint which is called an underpainting.
Refining the Composition with Mass, Not Line (Part 2)10:04
Capturing Figures in Motion at Matilda Bay16:28
So remember that you can freeze your paints if you are painting this painting over a couple weeks freeze your palette in between with some cling wrap over it. If you are painting on a trolley or something like mine just get a palette knife and move each mixture onto a plastic tray or plate or anything that serves the purpose and pop it in the freezer.
Colour Mixing Techniques: From Earthy to Joyful14:33
Painting Matilda Bay (Part 1)23:00
Painting Matilda Bay: Adding Figures to the Shore (Part 2)23:56
Ok so now we start to add colour!

Requirements

A basic understanding of how to use oil paints is helpful but not essential
Access to oil paints, brushes, and painting surface
Willingness to explore new techniques and approaches
An interest in landscape or water-based scenes
No need for advanced drawing skills — gridded reference is provided

Description

Learn to create oil paintings that feel alive and full of story.

In this course, we’ll take two simple reference photos and combine them into one expressive coastal scene. You’ll be guided through each stage of the process — from composition and drawing, to mixing a purposeful palette, and painting with clarity and confidence.

You’ll discover how to:

Draw using mass and shape instead of relying on outlines
Paint figures, water, sand, and reflections with energy and ease
Mix clean, joyful colours and balance them with earthy tones
Use highlights, contrast, and shadow to add depth and focus
Prepare your colours ahead of time so you can paint more intuitively
Keep your oils fresh between sessions with simple freezing techniques

A gridded photo reference is included to help you get started, making this course accessible even if drawing isn’t your strong suit.

You’ll also learn how to create a monochrome underpainting to build tonal structure, and how to keep your lights clean for stronger contrast. These techniques can be applied to your future work, giving you tools to elevate any subject matter.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced painter wanting to refine your process, this course offers a fresh, structured approach to oil painting — designed to boost both your confidence and creativity.

Let’s paint Matilda Bay together — step by step.

Who this course is for:

Beginner to intermediate oil painters
Artists wanting to improve their ability to tell visual stories
Creatives interested in painting figures and water scenes
Anyone looking to explore colour mixing and contrast in a practical way
Artists who prefer to follow a structured, start-to-finish painting process
Painters who want to loosen up their style and enjoy the painting process more