plate no. 5896

Niagara Falls in Winter

oilRomanticismlandscapewaterfallsnowicewatertreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to depict the texture of snow and ice. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to represent light and shadow in a winter landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, cliffs, and water.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of pale yellow and blue, blending them softly.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the cliffs and snow with light browns and whites, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Add the darker tones to the water, using greens and blues, and create highlights to suggest movement.
step 05
Develop the details of the waterfall, using greens, whites, and blues to represent the falling water and mist.
step 06
Add details to the cliffs and snow, including shadows, textures, and icicles.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage on the cliffs.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the water and snow to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and brown to create the subtle variations in the snow. Combine blue and yellow to achieve the green hues of the water and waterfall. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the cliffs, lightened with white.

techniques