Open full image Pin

Rocklined Beach with Distant Boats

William Stanley Haseltine

1864

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Rocklined Beach with Distant Boats is a 1864 ink by William Stanley Haseltine, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Stanley Haseltine
When & what style?: 1864 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a rocky beach with jagged stones and shallow water. The waves lap against the shore, and in the distance, a few small boats float on calm water. The artist used soft grays and faint lines to suggest light and texture. Notice how the artist left some areas almost blank—just a hint of pencil or wash—to make the rocks look rough and uneven. The distant boats are barely more than smudges, but they add depth. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.