plate no. 2864

Afterglow

Maxfield Parrish, 1947

oilRomanticismlandscapelandscapesnowbarntreeshousesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle atmospheric effects and layering techniques to create depth and texture in the snow and foliage.

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 barn, house, and trees.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall perspective of the landscape.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of diluted colors to establish the base tones of the sky, mountains, and snow.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the depth and form of the mountains and snowdrifts.
step 05
Paint the barn and house, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add the details of the trees, focusing on the intricate branch structure.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details, such as the light in the windows and the texture of the snow.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the atmospheric colors by mixing blues, yellows, and whites in varying proportions. Use small amounts of red and brown to create the subtle pinks and oranges in the sky and mountains.

techniques