plate no. 9676

Old Town. Winter

Konstantin Gorbatov, 1911

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismlandscapesnowbuildingsvillagewinterskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and shadows, as well as practice creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, muted color, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the snow-covered ground, using varying shades of blue and white to indicate shadows and highlights.
step 04
Paint the buildings in the background, paying attention to their relative size and placement.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roofs, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Paint the trees and branches in the foreground, using dark, thin lines.
step 07
Refine the snow texture with short, broken brushstrokes, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red · viridian

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow ochre to create the cool tones of the snow. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up certain areas.

techniques