plate no. 1636

Winter Respite

oilImpressionismgenre paintingsnowtreeshorsefiguresforestsmoke

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic snow textures. It also provides practice in painting figures within a landscape setting.

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 horse, figures, and trees.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant background with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the trees and snow-covered ground, paying attention to value differences.
step 04
Develop the details of the horse, including its form and harness.
step 05
Paint the figures around the campfire, focusing on their gestures and clothing.
step 06
Add details to the trees and logs, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the snow, adding shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details, such as the smoke from the fire and the footprints in the snow.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix shades of white with small amounts of blue, umber, and sienna to create the cool tones of the snow. Use a limited palette to create color harmony.

techniques