plate no. 1653

The Ice Hole

Marsden Hartley, 1908

oilExpressionismlandscapemountainsskycloudswatericelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and creating depth through color temperature and value variations. It also encourages expressive mark-making and capturing atmospheric effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, ice hole, and clouds.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the mountains and sky using a dark blue or purple.
step 03
Begin layering lighter blues and purples to create the atmospheric perspective in the mountains.
step 04
Block in the clouds with a base of yellow and orange, then add pink and purple highlights.
step 05
Paint the water and ice hole with varying shades of blue, white, and hints of orange and pink to reflect the sky.
step 06
Use short, directional brushstrokes to create texture and movement in the water and ice.
step 07
Add details to the foreground elements, such as the dark shape in the ice hole and the vegetation on the sides.
step 08
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · burnt sienna · purple

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine blue with white and small amounts of other colors. Achieve the pink and orange hues in the clouds by mixing alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, and white. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the foreground elements.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can flatten the image and lose the vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
→Not establishing a strong value structure, which can make the composition feel weak.
→Ignoring the color temperature shifts, which can reduce the sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and color harmony.