plate no. 6306

The Ice Cutters

Natalia Goncharova, 1911

oil, canvasCubismgenre paintingsnowfiguresbuildingstreeswinterlandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into geometric shapes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive mood. Students will learn to create depth through value changes and implied lines.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of figures and buildings.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and snow using thin washes.
step 03
Add the darker values for the trees and figures, defining their forms with bold brushstrokes.
step 04
Introduce the red and orange hues for the buildings, keeping the colors muted.
step 05
Refine the details of the snow and ice, using white and gray to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add highlights to the trees and figures to enhance the contrast.
step 07
Revisit the composition and adjust values as needed to create a balanced and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix white with black to create various shades of gray for the snow and sky. Use burnt sienna and red for the buildings, muting them with black or white as needed.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·limited palette
·geometric simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified, geometric style.
→Using colors that are too bright and vibrant, disrupting the muted, wintry mood.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Not simplifying the forms enough, resulting in a cluttered and confusing composition.