plate no. 9636

Islands Allagash

Neil Welliver, 1990

oilContemporary Realismlandscapeislandstreeswatermoonnightsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and understanding how to create the illusion of depth with limited color variations. It also provides practice in depicting water reflections and basic tree forms.

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 islands, horizon line, and moon.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of dark blue, leaving space for the moon.
step 03
Add stars to the sky using small dots of white paint.
step 04
Paint the islands with a darker shade of blue, adding highlights to suggest form.
step 05
Define the trees on the islands using a slightly darker blue or green-blue mix.
step 06
Create the water using horizontal strokes of white and blue, varying the pressure to suggest ripples.
step 07
Add reflections of the islands and moon in the water, using vertical strokes.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · black · sap green

Mix different shades of blue by varying the ratio of ultramarine blue and titanium white. Add a touch of black to darken the blue for shadows. Mix blue with a little green for the trees.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·limited palette
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, especially in the trees and water.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated, losing the nocturnal feel.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast between the sky, islands, and water.