plate no. 7470
Troika in the Snow
Abraham Manievich, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow on snow and how to create depth using atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in capturing the essence of figures and buildings with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road, buildings, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: sky, snow, buildings, and trees.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the snow, using cool blues and purples for shadows.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, focusing on the roof colors and the texture of the walls.
- step 05
Paint the figures and the horse-drawn sleigh, simplifying their forms.
- step 06
Add details to the trees and branches, using a dry brush technique.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · payne's gray
Mix various shades of gray and blue for the snow shadows. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the buildings, adding touches of red for the roofs. Create a muted sky by mixing white, blue, and a touch of umber.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the snow too white and not capturing the subtle color variations.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source and consistent shadows.
- →Not simplifying the forms of the figures and buildings enough.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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