plate no. 1021

Winter Landscape

Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1902

oilRealismlandscapesnowtreeslandscapeskywinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict snow and create depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes into basic forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the tree line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, blending it towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the trees using a dark green or mix of blues and browns.
step 04
Begin layering the snow, using white mixed with small amounts of yellow, blue, and brown to create variations in tone.
step 05
Add the distant trees and hills, using lighter and grayer tones to push them back in space.
step 06
Define the foreground details, such as the small trees and bushes, with loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Add subtle shadows in the snow to define the contours of the landscape.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · viridian green · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and brown to create the various tones of snow. Use a combination of blue and brown to create the dark greens for the trees.

techniques