plate no. 2404

Høyfjell

Kitty Lange Kielland, 1907

oil, canvasRealismlandscapelandscaperiverrocksvegetationskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscapes. It also provides practice in capturing the movement of water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, river, and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the distant hills and fields, using muted greens and browns.
step 04
Paint the river with varying shades of blue and green, indicating the flow and depth of the water.
step 05
Add the rocks and vegetation along the riverbanks, paying attention to their shapes and textures.
step 06
Create the white water effects by using short, broken strokes of white and light blue.
step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add the clouds in the sky with soft, blended strokes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, leading to a stiff and unnatural look.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Using colors that are too bright and saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, cadmium yellow)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags