plate no. 0092

Saint-Sauves under the snow

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapesnowlandscapevillagetreesskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and sky, as well as practicing impressionistic brushstrokes to create texture and form.

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 horizon line and placement of major elements like the village and trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Establish the snow-covered ground with varying shades of white, blue, and gray, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Paint the distant hills with muted purples and blues, suggesting depth and atmosphere.
step 05
Add the village buildings with touches of warm colors like ochre and red for the roofs.
step 06
Paint the trees with thin, vertical strokes, using browns, grays, and touches of red and purple.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the fence, using darker values to create contrast.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow and adjusting colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · violet

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the various shades of snow and sky. Use red and yellow ochre sparingly to add warmth to the village and trees. Mix violet with white to create the shadows on the snow.

techniques