plate no. 1869

Nerke, Greenland

Lawren Harris, 1930

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainsicebergswaterskysnowlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex landscapes into geometric forms and understanding color temperature to create depth and atmosphere. It is a good exercise in layering and creating smooth transitions between values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, icebergs, and horizon line using light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-grey wash, blending the tones to create a soft, cloud-like effect.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the mountains using a mix of black, blue, and brown, paying attention to the planes and angles.
step 04
Add the snow-covered areas with white, slightly tinted with blue or grey to indicate shadows and form.
step 05
Paint the water with a dark blue-green mix, using horizontal strokes to suggest the surface.
step 06
Add the icebergs with varying shades of blue and white, capturing their geometric shapes.
step 07
Refine the details of the mountains and icebergs, adding subtle highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the values and colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · payne's grey · yellow ochre

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark mountain tones. Use titanium white with a touch of blue for the snow and icebergs. Payne's grey can be used to adjust the value of the sky and water.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·blending
·geometric abstraction
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the shapes of the mountains and icebergs.
→Using too much detail in the sky and water.
→Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
→Not paying attention to value relationships, resulting in a flat image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·varnish

Using a medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to. If using acrylics, consider using a slow-drying medium to allow for more blending time.

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