plate no. 3856
Rivals
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict figures in a landscape and how to create the illusion of depth using atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to represent snow and clothing.
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 figures and landscape elements, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of light blue and gray to represent the sky and distant trees.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figures with their base colors, focusing on the overall color scheme.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the figures, such as clothing folds, facial features, and textures.
- step 05
Develop the snow-covered ground, using variations in white, gray, and blue to create depth and form.
- step 06
Add shadows to the figures and landscape to create a sense of volume and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · Prussian blue · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the various shades of snow. Use ochre and sienna to create the warm tones of the clothing, and green and blue for the accents.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Using too much pure white for the snow, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow and clothing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time.
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