plate no. 8576

Saint Russia

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfiguressnowlandscapetreesreligiouswinter

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to depict light and shadow on snow and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background landscape with a light wash of cool grays and blues, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the figures, including facial features, clothing folds, and textures.
step 05
Develop the snow-covered ground, using variations in value and color to create a sense of depth and form.
step 06
Add details to the trees and other vegetation, paying attention to the patterns of light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the overall color harmony and value contrast, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to completion.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors with white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create various grays for the snow and sky. Add small amounts of red or yellow to warm or cool the grays as needed.

techniques