plate no. 5845

Unyarded deer

oil, canvasContemporary Realismlandscaperiversnowtreesforestwinterreflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques and understand how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values. It also provides an opportunity to study the effects of light and shadow on snow and water.

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 shapes of the river, snowbanks, and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of blue.
step 03
Block in the dark areas of the forest and the river using a dark blue-black mixture.
step 04
Add the snow using white mixed with a touch of blue for shadows.
step 05
Paint the reflections in the water with vertical strokes of dark blue and black.
step 06
Add details to the trees, using thin lines for branches.
step 07
Refine the shapes of the snowbanks and add highlights.
step 08
Add final details, such as small branches and ripples in the water.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna

Mix white with a touch of blue for the snow shadows. Use black and blue for the dark areas, adding umber for warmth. Create the sky with a light wash of blue.

techniques