plate no. 2966

Scene from Fljótsdalshérað in East Iceland

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1951

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainslandscaperocksskycloudsfield

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to layer colors to create depth and atmosphere in a landscape. Students will also practice creating textures with varied brushstrokes.

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, rocks, and foreground.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted color for the sky and distant mountains.
step 03
Layer in darker values to define the mountain range and create shadows.
step 04
Block in the general colors of the foreground rocks and fields.
step 05
Add details to the rocks, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 06
Refine the colors and values in the foreground, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add final details to the sky and clouds.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · viridian green · titanium white · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and browns for the distant mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the rocks, adding white for highlights. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and add red for earth tones.

techniques