plate no. 4614
Monadnock in Winter
Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1904
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering to create depth. They will also learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use a limited color palette to create a cohesive mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, trees, and foreground, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it softly towards the horizon.
- step 03
Block in the mountain with a base color of muted browns and purples, indicating the snow-covered peaks with lighter tones.
- step 04
Paint the distant trees with dark greens and blues, gradually lightening the values as they come forward.
- step 05
Add the foreground snow with a mix of blues, purples, and whites, creating subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding branches and highlights to create depth and texture.
- step 07
Add the small evergreen tree in the foreground as a focal point.
- step 08
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre
Mix blues and browns to create the dark greens of the trees. Use white to lighten the colors for the snow and sky. Add a touch of crimson to the browns for the mountain's warm tones.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Making the trees too uniform and lacking in variety.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting.
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