plate no. 8049

Mt. Skjaldbreiður

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1922

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainhorsesfigurelandscapeskyfield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and loose watercolor washes. They will also learn how to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: mountain, horizon line, and the figures.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue and gray for the sky, allowing it to blend and create soft clouds.
step 03
Paint the mountain with a mix of blues, grays, and whites, focusing on the subtle value changes to suggest form.
step 04
Use a darker wash for the distant hills and land, creating depth through value contrast.
step 05
Apply a warm, diluted wash of browns and yellows for the foreground field.
step 06
Paint the horses and figure with loose, expressive brushstrokes, using a mix of browns, whites, and grays.
step 07
Add subtle details and shadows to the figures and foreground to create interest.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then assess for any final adjustments or glazes.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix blues and grays for the sky and mountain. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the foreground. Burnt sienna can add warmth to the horses.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·watercolor washes
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Making the colors too saturated and not achieving the muted tones.
→Not allowing the washes to dry properly before adding subsequent layers.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brush
·water container
·palette
·masking tape
·sketching pencil

optional

·palette knife
·spray bottle
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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