plate no. 0779

Thomasnacht

oilExpressionismlandscapesnowtreesforestwinterlandscapeshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature in shadows and how to simplify a complex scene into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating depth through overlapping forms and atmospheric perspective.

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 placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of muted blue.
step 03
Establish the snow-covered ground with a lighter blue-green mixture, paying attention to the undulating forms.
step 04
Paint the shadows on the snow using a darker, cooler blue.
step 05
Add the tree trunks with dark brown, varying the thickness and height.
step 06
Introduce subtle variations in color within the snow and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the distant trees and details.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

secondary · Cadmium Red · Yellow Ochre

Mix Prussian Blue and Titanium White for the sky and snow, adding Burnt Umber to darken shadows. Use Cadmium Red and Burnt Umber for the tree trunks, and Yellow Ochre to warm up the snow in certain areas.

techniques

·Color mixing
·Layering
·Scumbling
·Dry brushing
·Simplifying forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the scene.
→Making the shadows too dark or too uniform.
→Not varying the color temperature of the snow and shadows.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in the tree trunks.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil or acrylic medium