plate no. 0870

Creuse under the snow

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainssnowrockslandscapetreesriver

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and rock, as well as layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth.

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 rocks, mountains, and river, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and distant mountains.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the rocks, using a variety of browns, grays, and whites to create depth and texture.
step 04
Add highlights to the snow-covered areas, using lighter shades of white and blue.
step 05
Paint the river and foreground, using horizontal brushstrokes to suggest the flatness of the water and land.
step 06
Add details such as the small tree and any other small features.
step 07
Refine the edges of the rocks and mountains, softening some and sharpening others to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.