plate no. 3642

A Northern Frontier

Sydney Laurence, 1914

oilRomanticismgenre paintingmountainstreeswaterboatfigurescabin

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a landscape. Students will also learn how to create depth and dimension using color temperature and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, trees, and water line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted purples and grays, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the dark evergreens, using a mix of dark greens and browns, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the cabin and figures, focusing on their relative size and placement within the scene.
step 06
Paint the water, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the boat and foreground elements, such as the logs and reflections.
step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, adding final details to create depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix muted purples for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson with white. Achieve the dark greens for the trees by mixing burnt umber and ultramarine blue with a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques