plate no. 2005

Winter in Borisoglebsk

oilRealismcityscapewinterboatssnowchurchbuildingssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and subtle color mixing to create a sense of depth and distance. It also provides an opportunity to study the effects of light on snow and architectural forms.

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 church, boats, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted raw umber or similar neutral tone.
step 03
Begin layering in the sky, blending from a lighter value near the moon to a darker value towards the horizon.
step 04
Paint the distant landscape and architectural details, gradually increasing detail and contrast as you move towards the foreground.
step 05
Add the snow-covered ground and boats, paying attention to the highlights and shadows created by the light source.
step 06
Refine the details of the church and boats, adding texture and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add the bare trees and figures, using a fine brush to create delicate lines.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the subtle grays and whites by mixing titanium white with small amounts of raw umber, ivory black, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the whites and create a sense of atmospheric perspective.

techniques