plate no. 5194

Trees with Hoar-frost

oilImpressionismlandscapetreessnowwinterlandscapefigurefence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a winter scene. It also provides practice in depicting bare tree branches and snow-covered surfaces.

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, fence, and figure.
step 02
Block in the sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the main tree trunks and branches using a mix of browns and grays.
step 04
Apply thicker paint to represent the snow on the ground and branches, using short, broken strokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the snow to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 06
Define the fence and the figure with simple shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the branches and snow, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression of the scene.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of umber and sienna to create the various shades of snow. Use blue and black sparingly to create cool shadows. Mix yellow ochre and umber for the tree bark.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using too much white and creating a flat, lifeless snow effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Making the branches too uniform and lacking natural variation.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·titanium white oil paint
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette knife
·linseed oil

optional

·medium gloss
·palette scraper
·easel

A slightly textured canvas will help to create a more interesting surface for the paint to adhere to. Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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