plate no. 9380

View of the Trinity Monastery

Konstantin Gorbatov, 1923

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapecityscapesnowbuildingschurcheswintertrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and layering brushstrokes to create texture and form. It's a good exercise in depicting a complex scene with simplified shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings with their respective colors (pink, red, yellow, etc.).
step 04
Add the snow-covered areas, using variations of white and gray to create depth.
step 05
Develop the details of the buildings, such as windows, domes, and architectural features.
step 06
Paint the trees in the foreground, using thin branches and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add small figures to create a sense of scale and life.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · cadmium yellow light · rose madder

Mix various shades of gray for the sky and snow by combining white, blue, and a touch of umber. Use red and white to create the pink buildings, and mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques

·broken color
·layering
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Using too much pure white for the snow, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and snow.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.