plate no. 1222

Cloudy Moonlight

Albert Julius Olsson, 1900

oilImpressionismmarinasearockswavescloudsmoonlightship

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of water. It also provides practice in using a limited palette to create a range of values and textures.

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 horizon line, rocks, and wave formations.
step 02
Establish the dark background of the sky and distant sea using a mix of blues, blacks, and browns.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the clouds, paying attention to their varying tones and soft edges.
step 04
Begin to define the rocks in the foreground, using dark values and rough brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Start building up the waves, focusing on capturing the highlights and shadows that define their form.
step 06
Add the bright moonlight reflecting on the water, using lighter values and broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the waves, adding splashes and foam to create a sense of movement.
step 08
Add final touches to the rocks and sky, adjusting values and textures as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Achieve the dark blues and grays by mixing ultramarine blue and ivory black. Use titanium white to create highlights and mix with other colors to create lighter values. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the rocks.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Failing to create a strong sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the waves look static and unnatural.
→Not paying enough attention to the values and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.