plate no. 4536

Winter, England

Tom Roberts, 1920

oilImpressionismlandscapetreesforestlandscapewintergroundbranches

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscape painting. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on tree bark.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of blues and grays to create the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees with a light underpainting, paying attention to their verticality and spacing.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the tree trunks to create texture and dimension, using a variety of grays, whites, and yellows.
step 05
Paint the ground with a base layer of yellow, then add variations in tone and color to create depth and texture.
step 06
Add the details of the branches, using a fine brush and a dark color.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on the trees and ground to enhance the sense of light and form.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, blue, and umber. Use yellow ochre and white to create the light tones on the ground and trees. Add small amounts of blue to grays to create the atmospheric perspective in the background.

techniques