plate no. 3177
Mulo
some experience helpful
This painting is great for learning how to depict figures and animals in a snowy landscape using a limited palette and loose brushwork. Students will develop skills in color mixing to create realistic snow shadows and rendering form with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, animal, and the slope of the mountain.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted paint.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, snow, figure, and animal, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Start adding details to the figure and animal, refining their forms and adding textures.
- step 05
Develop the snow with varying shades of white and blue, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add highlights to the snow and the animal's coat to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the supplies and equipment, adding small accents of color and texture.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the cool tones of the snow. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the animal's coat, and mix umber and blue for the figure's clothing.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the snow and losing the sense of texture.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create depth.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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