plate no. 0287

Spring Waters

Vilhelms Purvitis, 1910

oilImpressionismlandscapetreeswaterreflectionsnowlandscapeforest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict reflections in water and how to create a sense of depth using color and value. It also provides practice in painting trees with varied textures.

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 the placement of the trees and water.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, snow, trees, and water, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin adding details to the trees, varying the color and thickness of the trunks.
step 04
Develop the reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
step 05
Add highlights to the snow and water to create a sense of light.
step 06
Refine the details of the shoreline and the transition between land and water.
step 07
Add final touches to the trees and reflections to create depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and adjust the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark tones in the trees and water. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and raw sienna for the grassy areas.

techniques