plate no. 7180

Winter

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowtreesskylandscapewinterhorizon

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and subtle color mixing to create a sense of depth and mood. Students can also learn how to suggest detail with loose brushstrokes rather than precise rendering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the trees.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray-blue, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Establish the snow-covered ground with a base layer of cool gray, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Paint the distant trees and landscape with muted browns and grays, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Add the foreground trees, varying their colors with touches of red, yellow, and brown.
step 06
Use dry brush technique to add texture to the trees and snow.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights to the snow and trees to create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix grays by combining white, raw umber, and a touch of blue. Add small amounts of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson to create warm browns and reds for the trees. Use yellow ochre to create highlights on the trees.

techniques