plate no. 1127

WINTER FARM

JAROSLAV KELUC, 1949

oilImpressionismlandscapebarnsnowtreeslandscapewinterhay

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. Students can learn to capture the essence of a winter scene with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the barn, haystacks, and surrounding landscape, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a thin wash of light blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the barn, snow, and haystacks, using simplified shapes.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the barn and haystacks.
step 05
Introduce lighter values to represent the highlights on the snow and hay.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and other elements, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Add texture to the haystacks with short, broken strokes of varying colors.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of blue and crimson for snow shadows. Combine burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white for the haystacks. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the barn wood.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·color mixing
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a lack of depth.
→Making the snow too white and not capturing the subtle color variations.