plate no. 6393

Harbor Under the Midnight Sun

William H. Johnson, 1937

oilExpressionismlandscapeharbormountainsboatsbuildingsskywater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and simplified form representation. It also provides practice in mixing vibrant colors and creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, harbor, and buildings, focusing on overall composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue, adding swirls to suggest movement.
step 03
Apply the base colors for the mountains and land, using yellows, greens, and oranges.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the mountains.
step 05
Paint the water with dark blues and reflections of the buildings and boats.
step 06
Add details to the buildings and boats using thick, expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Introduce accent colors like red and pink to create visual interest.
step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting colors and values to enhance the overall mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cobalt blue · cadmium yellow · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Achieve various shades of orange by mixing red and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques