plate no. 0248

First snow

Veniamin Kremer, 1945

oilRealismlandscapetreessnowwinterlandscapeforestsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and texture, and in observing subtle color variations in snow and shadows. It also offers practice in depicting atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky with a muted mix of yellow ochre and white.
step 04
Begin layering in the dark areas of the trees and shadows with a mix of umber, blue, and a touch of red.
step 05
Add the snow using white mixed with small amounts of blue, ochre, or violet to create variations in tone.
step 06
Develop the texture of the snow and trees with visible brushstrokes, using both flat and round brushes.
step 07
Refine the details, paying attention to the shapes of the branches and the highlights on the snow.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Achieve the snow colors by mixing white with small amounts of blue, ochre, or violet. Create the dark tones for the trees by mixing umber, blue, and a touch of red.

techniques