plate no. 9720

First Snow

oilRealismlandscapesnowbridgewatertreeslandscapebushes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle color variations in snow. It also provides practice in rendering reflections in water and creating texture with brushstrokes.

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 bridge, water, and treeline.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, muted blue-gray wash.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape with soft, blended tones of brown and gray.
step 04
Paint the trees and bushes, varying the colors and values to create depth.
step 05
Add the snow, using a mix of white, gray, and subtle hints of blue and brown to capture the light and shadows.
step 06
Paint the bridge, paying attention to the details of its structure and the reflections in the water.
step 07
Add the reflections in the water, using slightly darker and more muted versions of the colors above.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber for the snow. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the trees and bushes, adding white to lighten the values. Create the sky by mixing white, blue, and a touch of umber.

techniques