plate no. 5488
Japanese Switzerland
John Lavery, 1913
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to capture light and shadow in a snowy landscape and how to simplify figures into basic shapes. Students can practice creating subtle color variations to represent the nuances of light on snow and dark clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the snow, the sky, and the dark clothing.
- step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a sense of depth.
- step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the figures, paying attention to the folds and shadows in the clothing.
- step 05
Add subtle color variations to the snow to represent the light and shadows.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add details such as the faces and the ski pole.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · ultramarine blue
secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the cool tones of the snow. Use black and umber to create the dark tones of the clothing, adding small amounts of red or blue to adjust the temperature.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the sense of spontaneity.
- →Making the snow too white and flat, without enough color variation.
- →Creating harsh edges and losing the atmospheric perspective.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, and 6
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for some texture. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the values.
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