plate no. 8258

Winter in the dead wood

Albert Bloch, 1938

oilExpressionismlandscapetreeswinterlandscapebirdsskywoods

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 to depict distance.

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 overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Begin layering in the snow and highlights on the trees and ground using white and light ochre.
step 04
Add darker tones to the tree trunks and branches with burnt umber and black.
step 05
Paint the sky with a blend of gray and ochre, adding a touch of red for the setting sun.
step 06
Introduce the birds, paying attention to their shapes and placement.
step 07
Refine the details and textures of the trees and ground using dry brush techniques.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · black · ochre · red

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna to create the base tone for the landscape. Add white to create highlights and black to create shadows. Use ochre to warm up the colors and red for the sunset.

techniques