plate no. 4799

Prologue

oilRealismlandscapetreessnowlandscapevillagewintersky

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. It will also allow them to practice painting snow and creating a sense of atmosphere.

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, snowdrifts, and village in the background.
step 02
Establish the dark background sky with a mix of blues and blacks.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees with dark greens and browns, leaving space for snow.
step 04
Add highlights to the trees and snow using white mixed with blues and yellows to capture the cool light.
step 05
Paint the distant village with small strokes of warm colors to suggest light from the windows.
step 06
Layer the snow with varying shades of white, gray, and blue to create depth and texture.
step 07
Add details to the trees, such as branches and snow-covered needles, using a small brush.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Yellow · Payne's Gray

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow to create the cool tones of the snow. Use burnt umber and Prussian blue for the dark tones of the trees. Add yellow ochre to the white for the warm glow of the village lights.

techniques