plate no. 8073

From Drøbaksundet

Karl Edvard Diriks, 1923

oilImpressionismlandscapewinterlandscapehousestreeswaterboats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as rendering complex textures like snow and bare branches.

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 houses, water, and distant hills.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, water, and land, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the trees and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the textures of the snow and the details of the houses.
step 05
Add details to the boats and figures in the water.
step 06
Refine the details of the bare branches, paying attention to their intricate shapes.
step 07
Add highlights to the snow and water to create a sense of light and reflection.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian

Mix blues and browns with white to create the cool tones of the snow and water. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create the warm tones of the sky and houses. Viridian can be used sparingly to add depth to the shadows.

techniques