plate no. 2358

Study for Aqua Spring

Neil Welliver, 1997

oil, canvasContemporary Realismlandscapesnowrockstreesiceforestwinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and values. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations in snow and ice.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, ice, and trees, focusing on their relative positions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values in the rocks and trees.
step 03
Add the mid-tones to the snow and ice, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color temperature.
step 04
Begin layering lighter values on the snow and ice to create the illusion of depth and form.
step 05
Define the edges of the rocks and ice with darker values and sharper brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the trees, using thin, vertical strokes to suggest branches and trunks.
step 07
Refine the highlights on the snow and ice to create a sense of luminosity.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · raw sienna

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the cool tones of the snow and ice. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the rocks, and sap green for the trees.

techniques