plate no. 9332
Winter Sunrise
Lawren Harris, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in using directional brushstrokes to define form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the trees, snow drifts, and background trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-green color.
- step 03
Establish the dark tones of the background trees using a mix of dark blues and browns.
- step 04
Begin layering the snow on the trees, starting with the shadows using blues and purples.
- step 05
Add highlights to the snow using white mixed with yellow and a touch of blue.
- step 06
Define the shapes of the snow drifts with directional brushstrokes, using blues and yellows for shadows and highlights.
- step 07
Add details to the tree trunks and branches.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final touches.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Sienna
secondary · Yellow Ochre · Ultramarine Blue · Violet
Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and blue to create the various shades of snow. Use burnt sienna and Prussian blue to create the dark tones of the trees.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Scumbling
- ·Color mixing
- ·Impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, losing the texture and vibrancy.
- →Making the snow too white and flat, neglecting the subtle color variations.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the forest.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Acrylic or Oil paints
- ·#4 Round brush
- ·#8 Flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·Retarder medium (for acrylics)
- ·Varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to help create texture. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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