plate no. 9122
Glen Birnam
John Everett Millais, 1891
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures, particularly for trees and snow.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the path and the placement of the figure and trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of yellow and white, creating a soft, diffused light.
- step 03
Establish the dark masses of the forest using a mix of browns and blues.
- step 04
Add the snow on the ground, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the trees, starting with the larger trunks and gradually adding smaller branches and twigs.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figure, including the clothing and basket.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · raw sienna
Mix browns and blues for the dark areas of the forest, and add white to create lighter tones for the snow and sky. Use yellow ochre and white for the highlights on the trees and path.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Creating too much contrast, which can flatten the image.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow and trees.
- →Making the trees too uniform in size and shape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a pre-primed canvas to save time.
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