plate no. 8917

North-east view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko

oilRomanticismlandscapemountainsrocksskycloudsfiguressnow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to depict realistic rock formations. It also provides practice in rendering subtle color variations in clouds and distant mountains.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the mountains and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the major value areas, blocking in the darks of the rocks and the lights of the snow and sky.
step 03
Begin painting the sky, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Paint the distant mountains, using lighter and cooler colors to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Work on the foreground rocks, adding details and texture to create a sense of realism.
step 06
Add the snow, paying attention to the way it reflects light and shadow.
step 07
Paint the figures, keeping them small and in proportion to the landscape.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray and brown for the rocks. Use white to lighten the blues and browns for the sky and distant mountains. Add a touch of yellow ochre to the white for the snow to give it warmth.

techniques