plate no. 5845
Unyarded deer
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 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
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·linear brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the trees.
- →Making the snow too bright and flat.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in the water reflections.
- →Not establishing a strong value structure early on.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth of the colors.
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