plate no. 2147

Spring Evening, Akershus Fortress

Harald Sohlberg, 1913

oilNeo-Romanticismlandscapetreeslandscapesunsetwaterboatssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color blending to create atmospheric perspective and layering to build depth. Students will also practice painting detailed tree branches and creating a sense of distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the large tree, and the distant mountains.
step 02
Block in the sky with blended layers of yellow, orange, and purple, creating a gradient effect.
step 03
Paint the distant mountains and water with shades of blue and purple, adding subtle reflections.
step 04
Add the green foreground, blending different shades of green to create depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the large tree trunk and branches, using dark browns and blacks, paying attention to the branch structure.
step 06
Add the smaller trees in the mid-ground, using lighter tones to suggest distance.
step 07
Paint the path and fence, adding details to create a sense of perspective.
step 08
Add final details, such as the boats in the water and the subtle clouds in the sky.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky's base. Add crimson to yellow for sunset hues. Use ultramarine and burnt umber for the tree and distant mountains. Mix viridian green with yellow and umber for the foreground.

techniques