
plate no. 5091
Hendrick Avercamp, 1610
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many figures. It also provides practice in capturing the subtle color variations of a winter landscape.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of key elements like buildings and the horizon line.
Establish the sky with a thin wash of muted blues and grays, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
Block in the major shapes of the buildings and trees, using a limited palette of earth tones and whites.
Start adding details to the buildings, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
Begin adding the figures on the ice, starting with the larger groups and then moving to the smaller details.
Use small brushstrokes to create the impression of movement and activity on the ice.
Add the bare tree branches, using a fine brush and a steady hand.
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin glazes to build up color and create depth.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Use a smooth canvas to allow for fine detail work. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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