plate no. 3920
The Farm Múlakot in Fljótshlíð, South Iceland
Asgrimur Jonsson, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms. It also provides practice in creating a sense of distance through color and value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, mountains, and foreground.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, blending darker blues near the top.
- step 03
Establish the mountain range with a base layer of reddish-brown, adding darker shadows and lighter highlights.
- step 04
Paint the flat plain area with a mix of browns and greens, creating a horizontal band.
- step 05
Add the houses and other structures in the foreground, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 06
Layer greens and browns in the foreground to create the fields and vegetation, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add details like the stream and fences, using a fine brush.
- step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · sap green
Mix blues and white for the sky, adding a touch of red for the upper sky. Combine burnt umber, cadmium red, and white for the mountains. Use yellow ochre and sap green to create various shades of green for the fields.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the foreground, losing the sense of distance.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating an unrealistic effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat painting.
- →Not blending the colors sufficiently, leading to a choppy appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time and ease of use.
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