plate no. 1354

Arctic Invaders

oilRomanticismlandscapeicebergsmountainsshipfigurespolar bearsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for cool tones, and rendering textures of ice and snow. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the icebergs, mountains, ship, and figures.
step 02
Establish the dark and light values with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, blending purples, grays, and yellows to create the atmospheric effect.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the icebergs and mountains, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Add details to the ship and figures, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Paint the foreground ice and snow, using a variety of whites, blues, and grays to create texture and depth.
step 07
Add the polar bear and cubs, paying attention to their anatomy and fur texture.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray and purple by combining ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, and ivory black with titanium white. Achieve the warm tones in the sky and ice by mixing yellow ochre and burnt umber with white.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
→Using too much pure white, which can flatten the image.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the ice and snow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, ivory black)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags