plate no. 0612
Mirrored Mountain, South Greenland
Rockwell Kent, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as understanding reflections in water. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, water, and sky, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the waterline.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, mountains, and water with thin washes.
- step 04
Add darker values to the mountains to create shadows and define their forms.
- step 05
Paint the reflections in the water, mirroring the shapes and colors of the mountains and sky.
- step 06
Refine the details of the mountains and water, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 07
Add the small details like the stars in the sky.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Ultramarine Blue · Payne's Gray · Titanium White
secondary · Burnt Umber · Yellow Ochre
Mix blues and grays with white for the sky and water. Use burnt umber to darken the blues for the mountains. Add a touch of yellow ochre to the horizon line for a subtle glow.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Blending
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the reflections, making them too detailed.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure early on.
- →Using too much detail in the mountains, losing the sense of distance.
- →Making the colors too saturated, resulting in a less realistic atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or Oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder medium
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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