plate no. 9832

Autumn Sunlight, Öskjuhlíð

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapeskymountainsfiguressunsetwater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve atmospheric perspective and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture the fleeting light of a sunset.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the mountains and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of pink, purple, and yellow, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted purples and blues, creating a sense of depth.
step 04
Paint the foreground with a mix of cool and warm purples, adding texture with visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the reflection of the sunset on the water using horizontal strokes of orange and yellow.
step 06
Define the figures with simple shapes and dark values, suggesting their silhouettes against the light.
step 07
Refine the details in the sky and foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches, such as subtle color variations and texture, to enhance the overall atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

secondary · titanium white · burnt umber

Mix purples by combining ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements. Use yellow and white for the sunset glow.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Neglecting to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform, losing the expressive quality of the original.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.