plate no. 7586

A Backstreet in the Snow

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingssnowfiguresstreetwinterchimneys

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering subtle tonal variations to depict a snowy scene. Students will also develop skills in suggesting detail rather than precisely defining every element.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and figures, focusing on proportions and perspective.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted raw umber or burnt sienna to the entire paper, creating a warm undertone.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values of the buildings using a mix of browns and blues, allowing the undertone to show through in places.
step 04
Add the snow on the rooftops and ground using a slightly thicker mix of white and a touch of blue or brown.
step 05
Define the windows and architectural details with darker, more concentrated washes.
step 06
Paint the figures with loose, gestural strokes, suggesting form and movement.
step 07
Add subtle details like shadows in the snow and highlights on the buildings.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust values and details to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · payne's gray

Mix browns with blues to create the muted tones of the buildings. Use white with a touch of blue or brown for the snow.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Making the snow too bright and overpowering the rest of the painting.
→Not establishing a clear sense of perspective.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, payne's gray)
·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·flat brush (1 inch)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to allow for multiple washes without buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein