plate no. 9300

Stormy night ... Norwegian coast

oil, canvasRomanticismlandscapeseawavesboatrocksskymoon

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic water and dramatic lighting effects, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, boat, rocks, and general cloud shapes.
step 02
Establish the dark areas of the rocks and the overall dark tone of the sky and sea with a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones, focusing on the shapes of the waves and clouds.
step 04
Add highlights to the crests of the waves and the brighter areas of the clouds.
step 05
Refine the details of the boat, including the sails and rigging.
step 06
Create the moon and its surrounding glow with soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final details, such as the foam on the waves and subtle color variations in the sky.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust values and color temperature.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix blues and browns to create the dark tones of the sea and sky. Use white to lighten these mixtures for highlights. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or raw sienna to warm the colors.

techniques