plate no. 8789

Winter's Morning

oilRomanticismlandscapetreessnowforestdeerwatersky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective, as well as rendering realistic textures of trees and snow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, deer, and stream.
step 02
Establish the background sky with soft, blended colors, creating a subtle gradient.
step 03
Block in the distant trees and foliage with muted tones, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the snow-covered ground, using variations of white and gray to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add the larger trees in the foreground, focusing on their shapes, textures, and shadows.
step 06
Render the deer with careful attention to its anatomy and fur texture.
step 07
Paint the stream, capturing the reflections and movement of the water.
step 08
Add final details, such as twigs, branches, and highlights on the snow.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix whites and blues with small amounts of umber and sienna to create the cool tones of the snow and sky. Use red and yellow ochre to create the warmer tones of the trees.

techniques