plate no. 8703

Aurora Borealis

oil, canvasLuminismlandscapeauroralandscapemountainsskyiceboat

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for subtle gradations, and rendering light effects. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and vastness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a neutral gray or brown.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and horizon line.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the mountains and sky using dark browns and blues.
step 04
Begin layering in lighter tones on the mountains, focusing on the areas catching light.
step 05
Create the aurora effect by layering translucent washes of blues, greens, reds, and yellows.
step 06
Soften the edges of the aurora with a dry brush to create a glowing effect.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, including the ice and the small boat.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Cadmium Red · Yellow Ochre · Viridian

Achieve the aurora colors by mixing small amounts of red, yellow, and green with white and blue. Use thin glazes to create transparency.

techniques

·glazing
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the aurora, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Creating too much contrast too early in the process.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the mountains and sky.
→Making the foreground too detailed, which distracts from the aurora.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Viridian)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife