plate no. 8180

Village in the Winter Sun

Konstantin Gorbatov, 1919

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapevillagewintersnowbuildingsskytrees

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. Students will also learn how to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and values.

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 placement of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the snow-covered ground.
step 03
Establish the basic values, paying attention to the light and shadow on the buildings and trees.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof lines.
step 05
Develop the texture of the snow and the foliage of the trees using broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adding subtle variations to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as the figures in the foreground and the reflections in the water.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust color temperatures.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · viridian

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky and snow. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the buildings and trees, adding touches of burnt sienna for warmth. Create a muted green for the water by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a harsh and unnatural look.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, leading to a flat and unconvincing painting.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the snow and sky.