plate no. 6696

Hunter with dog in the Grafenberg forest

oilImpressionismgenre paintingsnowtreeshunterdogfigurelandscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice creating a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective and capturing textures with visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

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 horizon line, the hunter and dog, and the tree groupings.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the sky, snow, and darker areas of the trees and figures with thin washes.
step 03
Begin to build up the snow texture using short, broken brushstrokes and varying shades of white and gray.
step 04
Add details to the hunter and dog, paying attention to their forms and proportions.
step 05
Develop the trees, using a variety of browns and grays to create depth and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the footprints in the snow, using subtle variations in value and color.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is clear and the values are balanced.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of raw umber and payne's gray to create the snow. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the trees and figures, adjusting the values with white and payne's gray.

techniques