plate no. 4807
Midnight Mass
Frits Thaulow, 1901
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the mood of a nocturnal scene. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, street, and figures, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar dark earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the buildings, sky, and ground, focusing on the relative values.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof textures.
- step 05
Refine the figures, adding subtle highlights and shadows to suggest form.
- step 06
Create atmospheric perspective by softening edges and reducing contrast in the distance.
- step 07
Add highlights to suggest light sources, such as the windows of the church.
- step 08
Apply final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric composition.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the browns and viridian to cool them down. Ivory black will darken the values.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and unconvincing image.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective, making the distant elements appear too sharp and detailed.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating a garish and unrealistic effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian, ivory black)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to establish a base value.
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