plate no. 0812

Winter's end

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapetreesbuildingslandscapeskyhousesfield

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a winter landscape. Students will also develop skills in depicting bare tree branches and architectural forms with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

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 placement of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, using loose, blended brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the ground plane with a base layer of browns and ochres.
step 04
Add the buildings, using darker blues and browns for the roofs and lighter yellows and oranges for the walls.
step 05
Paint the trees, focusing on the intricate network of branches. Use dark browns and blues, varying the thickness of the lines.
step 06
Layer in details like the foliage and shadows, using a variety of colors and brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques

·broken color
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not varying brushstrokes enough to create texture and interest.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits

optional

·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel
·rags

Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider pre-toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber for a warmer base.

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