plate no. 7297
Greenlanders (Near Godhavn)
Rockwell Kent, 1932
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and understanding how light interacts with different surfaces like water, ice, and land. It also provides practice in rendering simplified human figures in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, mountain shape, and placement of figures and icebergs.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient from darker blue at the top to lighter blue/yellow near the horizon.
- step 03
Establish the mountain mass with dark browns and purples, adding highlights to suggest form.
- step 04
Paint the water with varying shades of blue, reflecting the sky and mountain.
- step 05
Add the icebergs with white and cool gray shadows, paying attention to their shapes and reflections.
- step 06
Paint the figures on the shore, simplifying their forms and using local color.
- step 07
Add details like the dogs and the structure on the right.
- step 08
Refine the details and blend edges to create a smooth, realistic finish.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · payne's gray
Mix blues and yellows for the sky gradient. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark mountain shadows. Add white to the primary colors to create lighter tones for highlights and icebergs.
techniques
- ·color blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified figure painting
- ·rendering reflections
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to create a smooth gradient in the sky.
- →Making the icebergs too bright and flat.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the water and mountains.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, payne's gray)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·color chart
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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