plate no. 3308

Mt. Arnarfell

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1927

oilImpressionismlandscapemountaintreeslandscaperocksfoliagewater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering organic shapes and textures with loose brushwork.

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 mountain, rocks, and tree.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and pink to the sky and mountain.
step 03
Add a light blue wash to the water area.
step 04
Begin layering washes of green, brown, and ochre to define the rocks and foliage, allowing colors to blend.
step 05
Use a slightly darker mix to define the shadows and crevices in the rocks.
step 06
Paint the tree branches with a fine brush, using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the rocks and foliage.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Create muted browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of blue. Achieve the pink hues in the mountain by diluting alizarin crimson with water.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·layering washes
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and creating muddy colors
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before layering
→Making the tree branches too uniform and stiff
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·water container
·palette
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for multiple washes. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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