plate no. 8485

Leningrad. Fontanka and the Summer Garden in frost.

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1929

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)cityscapecityscaperiversnowbuildingstreeswinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create a sense of depth and winter light. Students can also practice pointillism and layering techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, river, and trees.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow and pink to the sky area.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and trees with diluted washes of blue, yellow, and white.
step 04
Begin layering small dots and dashes of color to build up the forms and create texture.
step 05
Use a dry brush technique to add details to the snow-covered areas.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the river, creating a sense of depth and reflection.
step 07
Add details to the buildings and architectural elements.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors to achieve the desired atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix white with small amounts of yellow and blue to create the cool tones of the snow and sky. Use burnt sienna and alizarin crimson for the warm tones of the buildings and boats. Mix blue and burnt sienna for the shadows in the snow.

techniques