plate no. 1648

Arctic Sunset with Rainbow

oilRomanticismmarinaboatswatericebergsrainbowskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create subtle gradations in the sky and water. Students will also learn to depict reflections and the effects of light on different surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, icebergs, boats, and rainbow arc.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt sienna and raw umber for the water and sky.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the icebergs with white, adding subtle hints of pink and blue.
step 04
Paint the sky, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect, focusing on the gradient from dark to light.
step 05
Add the boats, paying attention to their shapes and reflections in the water.
step 06
Carefully paint the rainbow, layering the colors and blending them softly.
step 07
Refine the details of the icebergs, adding shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details on the boats and subtle ripples in the water.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the subtle sky tones by mixing white with small amounts of blue, red, and yellow. Create the water's warm tones by blending burnt sienna and raw umber with white. The rainbow requires mixing vibrant hues and blending them softly.

techniques