plate no. 5063

View of Elliðaárvogur, Reykjavík

Asgrimur Jonsson, 1930

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowwatermountainsbuildingrockssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and water, as well as layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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, shoreline, and building, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and water.
step 04
Begin layering thicker paint to define the snow-covered areas and the rocks.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the snow to create depth and form.
step 06
Add details to the building and the shoreline, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Refine the reflections in the water, paying attention to color and value.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of blue and red to achieve the cool tones of the snow. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the warmer tones of the rocks and shoreline. Mix alizarin crimson with white for the pink sky.

techniques