plate no. 7485

Midget Submarine Attack on the 'Tirpitz', 22 September 1943

Richard Eurich, 1943

oilNeo-Romanticismmarinamountainsseashipssmokerockssky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through value and color changes, as well as capturing the mood of a scene with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, sea, and foreground rocks.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of blue, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the sea and foreground, using a dark brown or black.
step 04
Begin layering the mountains with ochre, brown, and white, creating highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the ships and smoke, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Refine the foreground rocks with highlights and shadows, adding texture with dry brush techniques.
step 07
Add subtle reflections in the water.
step 08
Finalize details and adjust values to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the mountains. Use white to lighten the blues and browns for the sky and highlights. Mix black with umber for the dark sea.

techniques