plate no. 5059

Morning fresh snow: chestnuts (en plein air)

Alfred Freddy Krupa, 2015

watercolorPost-Impressionismlandscapetreessnowlandscapeforestwinter

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice watercolor washes and layering techniques to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a very diluted wash of light blue and pink across the entire paper to create the background atmosphere.
step 03
While the background is still damp, add slightly darker washes of blue and green to define the tree trunks and branches.
step 04
Use a slightly drier brush to add texture to the tree trunks, suggesting bark and shadows.
step 05
Add subtle shadows on the snow using light blue and purple washes.
step 06
Soften the edges of the trees and shadows with a clean, damp brush to create a hazy effect.
step 07
Add final details to the branches and tree trunks with a fine brush.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · ultramarine blue · titanium white (for mixing)

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green · raw umber

Mix blues with a touch of crimson to create the purplish shadows. Use white to lighten the blues for the sky and snow. Mix green with umber to create muted greens for the trees.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·watercolor washes
·dry brush texture
·lifting color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes, which can lead to a muddy effect.
→Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy.
→Not allowing the layers to dry completely before adding more paint.
→Making the tree trunks too uniform in color and shape.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·round watercolor brushes (sizes #2, #6, #10)
·watercolor paints (cerulean blue, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, sap green, raw umber)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels
·masking tape