plate no. 7534

Le Puy in the Snow

oilPointillismlandscapelandscapetreessnowfigurepathfence

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for pointillism and how to create depth and texture using small dots of color. It also provides practice in creating a cohesive composition with a focus on light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the trees, path, figure, and distant landscape.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme, focusing on the warm yellows and oranges of the sky and the cool blues and purples of the shadows in the snow.
step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the sky, varying the hues to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Move on to the trees, using darker blues, browns, and reds to create the foliage and branches.
step 05
Paint the path with a mix of browns, oranges, and reds, following the perspective to create depth.
step 06
Add the figure in blue, using small dots to define the form.
step 07
Create the snow-covered ground with a mix of white, blue, and yellow dots, paying attention to the shadows cast by the trees and figure.
step 08
Refine the details, such as the fence posts and the distant landscape, using small dots of color to create texture and depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · violet

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow to create the snow. Use varying amounts of blue and yellow to create the sky. Mix red and brown for the path.

techniques