plate no. 9782

Sunlit Snow

oilRegionalismlandscapesnowtreeswinterlandscapeskyice

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth using subtle color variations. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of the main tree.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, allowing for some variation.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the distant trees, using a mix of browns and blues.
step 04
Add the snow-covered ground, varying the white with hints of blue, gray, and pink to suggest shadows and texture.
step 05
Paint the main tree, paying attention to the delicate branches and their relationship to the background.
step 06
Add the reflections in the ice patches, using slightly darker and more saturated versions of the surrounding colors.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the texture of the snow and the individual branches of the trees.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · raw sienna · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve the subtle grays and blues by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. Use raw sienna and alizarin crimson to create warm browns for the trees.

techniques