plate no. 2598

Cornish Hills

Willard Metcalf, 1911

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowmountaintreeslandscapeskybushes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature in shadows and how to create depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.

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 mountain, trees, and foreground, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the general areas of the mountain with dark greens and browns, leaving areas for snow.
step 04
Paint the snow-covered areas using a mix of white, blue, and violet, varying the tones to create depth and form.
step 05
Add the trees and bushes, varying their colors and textures to create visual interest.
step 06
Develop the foreground with snow shadows and details of the bushes and grasses.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the branches of the trees and the highlights on the snow.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · sap green

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · violet

Mix white with blue and a touch of violet for cool snow shadows. Combine burnt umber and sap green for the darker areas of the mountain and trees. Use cadmium yellow to create highlights on the trees.

techniques