plate no. 0956
NEW YEAR'S SNOW
Eric Ravilious, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: hills, wagon, and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, hills, and foreground.
- step 03
Add the snow cover using a light, cool gray.
- step 04
Paint the trees and bushes, focusing on their silhouette shapes.
- step 05
Develop the details of the wagon, including the wheels and lattice.
- step 06
Add texture to the snow and grass using dry brushing or stippling.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · payne's gray
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber for the sky and snow. Use sienna and umber for the trees and wagon, adjusting the values with white or gray.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification of forms
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth.
- →Not simplifying the forms enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·medium retarder
- ·easel
- ·reference photo
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate layering and dry brushing.
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