plate no. 8260
Vinterlandskap Från Myllykylä
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict snow realistically using subtle color variations and how to create depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering tree forms and shadows.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line, trees, and cabin.
- step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, subtly blending in hints of pink and gray.
- step 03
Block in the dark masses of the trees, varying the greens and browns to create depth.
- step 04
Lay in the base color of the snow, a mix of white with hints of blue, gray, and pink.
- step 05
Add shadows to the snow, using darker blues and purples to define the forms and undulations.
- step 06
Paint the cabin with warm browns and grays, adding small details to suggest texture.
- step 07
Add the bare tree branches in the foreground with thin, delicate lines.
- step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium green · alizarin crimson
Mix white with small amounts of blue, umber, and crimson to create the various shades of snow. Use yellow ochre and cadmium green for the lighter areas of the trees, and burnt umber for the darker areas.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·shadow mapping
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Making the snow too white and flat, neglecting the subtle color variations.
- →Overworking the details, losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Ignoring the perspective of the snow-covered ground.
- →Creating too much contrast, making the scene appear harsh.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brush #4
- ·flat brush #8
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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