plate no. 8620

Through the Crisp Air

Joseph Farquharson, 1902

oilRealismlandscapelandscapesnowsheeptreesskyhills

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice color mixing for atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic snow textures. Students can also learn to create depth through layering and value changes.

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 horizon line and placement of major elements like the hill, trees, and sheep.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue-grey wash, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with muted browns and purples to create depth.
step 04
Lay down the base color for the snow, a mix of white with hints of blue, pink, and yellow, paying attention to the light direction.
step 05
Add shadows to the snow using darker mixes of blues, purples, and browns, following the contours of the land.
step 06
Paint the trees, starting with the trunks and then adding the branches, using thin, varied lines.
step 07
Render the sheep with soft, blended strokes, indicating their woolly texture and adding shadows.
step 08
Add final details like the stone wall and subtle highlights on the snow and trees.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve the snow's subtle colors by mixing white with small amounts of blue, pink (white + alizarin crimson), and yellow. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker shadows in the snow and on the trees.

techniques