plate no. 7732
Snow-melting
Laszlo Mednyanszky, 1899
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create atmospheric perspective and capturing the subtle reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a warm underpainting of burnt sienna.
- step 02
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, riverbank, and tree placement.
- step 03
Block in the sky with a gradient of yellow and orange, blending softly.
- step 04
Establish the dark masses of the trees using burnt umber and black.
- step 05
Add lighter tones to the trees to suggest sunlight and form.
- step 06
Paint the river with dark blues and browns, then add horizontal strokes for reflections.
- step 07
Apply highlights to the snow using white and pale blues.
- step 08
Refine details and add final touches to the trees and reflections.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · black · cadmium yellow
Mix various shades of brown and grey by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve the warm glow by layering yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the trees.
- →Making the reflections too symmetrical.
- →Using too much pure white for the snow.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·painting easel
- ·rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for oil paints)
- ·retarder medium (for acrylics)
Using a toned canvas can help establish the warm undertones of the painting. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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