plate no. 9874

Winter in the Forest (sketch)

Petro Kholodny (Elder), 1920

oil, cardboardImpressionismsketch and studytreessnowwinterfigureforestlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict snow and winter light using a limited palette and expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, placement of trees, and figure.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, snow, and distant trees.
step 03
Establish the values of the snow, paying attention to shadows and highlights.
step 04
Paint the tree trunks and branches, varying the thickness and direction of the strokes.
step 05
Add the figure, focusing on its overall shape and value.
step 06
Refine the details of the background trees and snow texture.
step 07
Add subtle color variations to the snow and sky.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber to create cool snow shadows. Use yellow ochre and raw sienna to add warmth to the tree trunks and branches. Mix blue and umber for the figure's dark coat.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the snow and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Making the tree trunks too uniform and lacking variation.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow.
→Creating too much contrast, making the scene look harsh.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, raw sienna)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags