plate no. 2346

Petersburg. The Summer Garden in winter.

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1902

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapetreessnowfiguresbuildingwintercityscape

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students understand layering techniques and how to create depth using a limited color palette. Students will also practice rendering complex tree branches and snow textures.

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 the trees, building, and figures.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the path.
step 03
Apply a base layer of light yellow/cream color for the sky and background.
step 04
Mix a blue-green color for the trees and figures, and apply it in broad strokes.
step 05
Add details to the tree branches using a finer brush and the same blue-green color.
step 06
Paint the snow using white with hints of blue and yellow, defining the shapes of the snowdrifts.
step 07
Add subtle shadows to the snow and trees to create depth.
step 08
Refine the details of the building in the background.

color palette

primary · light yellow/cream · blue-green · white

secondary · light blue · grey

The blue-green can be achieved by mixing a phthalo blue with a touch of yellow and white. The snow color is white with small amounts of blue and yellow mixed in to suggest shadows and reflected light.

techniques