plate no. 1499

Oslo vista de Akershus

Harald Sohlberg, 1900

oilNeo-Romanticismlandscapelandscapewatertreesskyboatscityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the horizon line and the placement of the major elements (tree, water, cityscape).
step 02
Establish the base color for the sky using a gradient of yellow and orange.
step 03
Block in the water with a muted orange, reflecting the sky's color.
step 04
Paint the distant cityscape with a light blue-gray, focusing on simple shapes.
step 05
Add the tree trunk and branches using a dark brown or black, simplifying the leaf shapes.
step 06
Paint the boats and other details in the water, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Add the foreground grass and flowers with varying shades of green and white.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm tones of the sky and water. Add ultramarine blue to create the cooler tones of the distant mountains and shadows.

techniques