plate no. 8241

Lighthouse on the Norwegian Coast

oilRomanticismlandscapelighthouseseacloudsrockswavessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the movement of water with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere using a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the lighthouse, horizon line, and major cloud formations.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky, starting with the lighter areas and gradually building up the darker storm clouds using a mix of browns, grays, and black.
step 04
Paint the sea, focusing on capturing the movement and texture of the waves with loose, gestural brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the lighthouse and the rocky coastline, paying attention to the details and highlights.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to the waves and clouds to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmospheric effects.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the lighthouse.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · raw sienna · yellow ochre

Achieve the various shades of gray and brown by mixing burnt umber, white, and black in different proportions. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre to add warmth to the highlights.

techniques