plate no. 1019
From Borgarfjörður, Eiríksjökull Glacier, West Iceland
Asgrimur Jonsson, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, tree, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blue and white, blending softly.
- step 03
Establish the mountain masses with darker blues and purples, indicating snow caps.
- step 04
Paint the foreground with a base layer of red, then add variations of green and brown.
- step 05
Define the tree trunk and branches with dark brown, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the foliage with dabs of green, yellow, and white, creating a textured effect.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final touches to the sky and foreground to balance the composition.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · sap green
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · violet
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create muted tones by adding a touch of complementary color. Achieve the red foreground by layering burnt sienna and cadmium red.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·broken color
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Creating mud by overmixing colors.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·#6 round brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·soft cloth
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use good quality paints for better color saturation and longevity. A medium can be used to adjust the consistency of the paint.
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