plate no. 7852

The Shortening Winter's Day is near a Close

Joseph Farquharson, 1903

oilRealismanimal paintingsheepsnowtreessunsetfigurewinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and light, and in creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horizon line, trees, and sheep.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the sky with warm oranges and yellows, blending them softly.
step 04
Paint the distant trees with dark browns and blues, softening the edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add the snow using white mixed with blues, purples, and yellows to capture the reflected light.
step 06
Paint the sheep, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest their woolly texture.
step 07
Add details to the trees, fences, and figures, using a smaller brush.
step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of blue, purple, and yellow to create the cool and warm tones in the snow. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark tones of the trees.

techniques