plate no. 9010

Orthodox Monastery in Latvia

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapechurchsnowrivertreesbuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color temperature to create depth and mood. It also provides practice in rendering architectural forms with simplified details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, the church, and the river.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, river, land, and buildings.
step 03
Establish the dark and light values, paying attention to the shadows and highlights on the church and the snow.
step 04
Refine the shapes of the buildings and add details to the architecture.
step 05
Add the trees and other vegetation, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the snow, capturing the subtle variations in tone and temperature.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and add any final details.
step 08
Glaze the painting with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and brown for the river and land. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red or yellow to adjust the color temperature.

techniques