This week’s Landscape Art Club Challenge takes us to Nazaré, Portugal, a place known for its massive waves and raw ocean energy. A few years ago, I traveled here in December, drawn by my love for surfing and the excitement of witnessing these legendary waves in person. The moment I arrived with my surfing friend, the cloudy, grey-toned skies made everything look almost like a natural monochrome painting. The atmosphere was moody and dramatic, perfectly capturing the essence of the sea’s unpredictable power.
Since I’ve received multiple requests to paint waves, I thought these reference photos would be ideal. They are not polished, stock images but authentic, unfiltered moments, just as the ocean is — raw and dynamic. The monochrome focus came naturally, continuing the theme from last week’s limited palette challenge, helping us explore depth, movement, and contrast in a new way.
Analyzing the Reference Photos
Each reference photo provides a unique opportunity to explore different aspects of monochrome palette and wave dynamics. Let’s break them down!
Photo 1: Breaking Wave with Rock in Foreground
The dark rock in the foreground contrasts with the crashing white wave, giving a sense of scale and movement. The misty horizon blends seamlessly into the sky, reducing the separation between elements.
Challenge as a Photo: The rock could dominate the composition if not handled well. The wave needs to be the true focal point.
Focus Questions:
How can you use a monochrome palette to balance the rock and wave without losing focus?
How will you differentiate the misty horizon from the water without strong color variation?
Tips:
Use a strong value contrast to separate the rock from the wave.
Keep edges soft and blended in the misty areas to create depth.
Let the wave be the brightest part of the painting, leading the eye towards it.
Photo 2: Receding Waves with Layers of Water
The rolling layers of waves create natural depth and movement. The subtle variations in tone define the form and energy of the sea.
Challenge as a Photo: It may be difficult to capture the layered effect without clear color separation.
Focus Questions:
How can you use value shifts to show the depth between waves?
How can you simplify wave motion without over-detailing?
Tips:
Use atmospheric perspective by lightening the farthest waves.
Let the closest waves have sharper details and more contrast.
Experiment with different brushwork to convey movement instead of static rendering.
Photo 3: Softly Curving Wave with a distant Horizon
A smooth, elegant wave with a long, sweeping curve leading toward the horizon. The vast open water and soft sky make this a compositionally calming scene.
Challenge as a Photo: The minimal elements may feel too simple unless handled with subtlety.
Focus Questions:
How can you keep the painting engaging while maintaining simplicity?
How do you create movement and form in a monochrome wave?
Tips:
Use subtle value shifts to define the form of the wave.
Focus on gradual blending and soft transitions in the water to create realism.
Enhance depth by making the horizon slightly blurred while keeping the wave crisp.
Photo 4: Surfer and Jet Ski Against Giant Wave
The dynamic composition captures both the power of the wave and human interaction. The surfer and jet ski provide a sense of scale, emphasizing the wave’s enormity.
Challenge as a Photo: The human figures are small, but they are crucial for storytelling. The focus must stay on the wave while ensuring the surfer remains visible.
Focus Questions:
How can you keep the focus on the wave while maintaining the importance of the surfer?
How do you avoid over-detailing the human figure while making it recognizable?
Tips:
Keep the surfer and jet ski silhouetted with clear, simple shapes.
Let the wave’s crest be the brightest area, ensuring it dominates the composition.
Use directional brushstrokes to guide the eye toward the surfer and action.
This challenge is a great continuation from last week’s limited palette exercise, helping you refine your understanding of value, contrast, and atmospheric effects. The ocean’s constantly shifting tones and textures make it the perfect subject to study how light and movement interact in a monochrome painting.
Download high-resolution reference images and join the discussion here!
Happy painting!
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