plate no. 2910

January

Alex Colville, 1971

oilContemporary Realismgenre paintingfiguressnowwinterlandscapesnowshoessunglasses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing, creating realistic skin tones in cool light, and rendering textures of snow and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, snow, and the figures' clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the colors of the sky and snow, adding subtle variations in tone and temperature.
step 04
Work on the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and realistic skin tones.
step 05
Add details such as the snowshoe tracks, the sunglasses, and the clothing folds.
step 06
Refine the edges and values to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · payne's grey

Achieve the cool snow tones by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. Skin tones are created with white, sienna, ochre, and a touch of blue for the cool lighting.

techniques