plate no. 9010

Icebergs in the Atlantic

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapeicebergsshipoceanskycloudswater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, color mixing for cool tones, and rendering realistic water and ice textures. It also provides practice in depicting a complex subject (the ship) within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the icebergs and the ship.
step 02
Establish the dark values of the sky and the ocean using a thin wash of dark blue and brown.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the icebergs with a light blue-green mixture, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Add highlights to the icebergs using white mixed with a touch of yellow and blue.
step 05
Paint the ship, focusing on its silhouette and basic structure. Use dark browns and blacks.
step 06
Develop the water, using short, broken brushstrokes to create the impression of waves.
step 07
Refine the details of the icebergs, adding shadows and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the ship and the water.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Yellow Light · Alizarin Crimson

Achieve the icy blues and greens by mixing Prussian Blue, Titanium White, and a touch of Yellow Ochre. Use Burnt Umber and Prussian Blue for the dark tones of the ocean and ship.

techniques