plate no. 4493

A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle

oil, panelBaroquelandscapewinterlandscapefiguresice skatingbuildingstrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and painting detailed figures in a landscape. It also provides practice in rendering textures of snow, ice, and bare trees.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, trees, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of pale blue and grey, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and trees with muted earth tones.
step 04
Add the base color for the ice, a light grey with subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Begin adding the figures, starting with the larger ones in the foreground and gradually decreasing the size for those in the distance.
step 06
Develop the details of the buildings, including windows, roofs, and architectural features.
step 07
Paint the bare branches of the trees, paying attention to their intricate patterns.
step 08
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of grey by combining white, black, and a touch of umber or blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warm tones in the buildings and trees. Add small amounts of red and blue to create the colors of the figures' clothing.

techniques