plate no. 4644
Birches
Neil Welliver, 2005
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, color mixing for shadows in snow, and depicting complex patterns of trees. It also encourages careful observation of light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the mountain in the background.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, allowing for variations in tone.
- step 03
Establish the snow-covered ground with a base of white mixed with blue and violet, paying attention to the shadows.
- step 04
Begin painting the birch trees, starting with the white trunks and adding the black markings.
- step 05
Add the thinner green trees, varying the shades of green for depth.
- step 06
Paint the branches, using thin lines and varying the thickness for realism.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights on the trees and snow, adding details to create depth.
- step 08
Add finishing touches, such as small details on the ground and in the background.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · sap green · violet · yellow ochre
Mix white with blue and a touch of violet to create the cool tones of the snow. Use burnt umber and white for the birch markings, and mix greens with yellow ochre for the other trees.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff.
- →Not paying attention to the values, which can flatten the image.
- →Using too much pure white, which can make the snow look unnatural.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow and trees.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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