plate no. 3942

Cold Day

oilExpressionismlandscapesnowbuildingstreesskylandscapehill

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive mood. Students can also develop skills in depicting snow and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, hill, and snow drifts.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray-blue, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the buildings, using a mix of browns, yellows, and blues, and indicating the roof lines.
step 04
Paint the hill in the background with greens and darker shadows to create depth.
step 05
Add the snow, using white mixed with small amounts of blue and brown to create variations in tone and shadow.
step 06
Paint the fence using dark browns and blues, suggesting the texture with broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the figure in the snow with a dark color, keeping it simple and small.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix white with small amounts of blue and brown for the snow. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the buildings, adding blue for shadows. Mix viridian green with burnt umber for the hill.

techniques