plate no. 4175

Old wooden cottage in the snow

Alfred Freddy Krupa, 2014

mixed technique, ink, watercolor, acrylic, penPost-Impressionismlandscapecottagesnowtreeswinterlandscapebuilding

some experience helpful

This painting helps students develop skills in layering washes, creating textures with dry brush techniques, and using line work to define shapes and add detail. It also encourages exploration of limited color palettes to create a cohesive mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cottage, trees, and snow drifts.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue or gray watercolor to the sky area.
step 03
Add a slightly darker wash to the snow areas, leaving some areas white for highlights.
step 04
Paint the cottage using a dark mix of brown and black, leaving some areas lighter to suggest texture.
step 05
Use a fine-tipped pen or brush to add details to the trees, cottage, and snow drifts.
step 06
Create texture in the snow by using a dry brush technique with white and light gray paint.
step 07
Add subtle color variations to the snow and sky with diluted watercolor washes.
step 08
Outline the shapes with a dark pen to define the forms.

color palette

primary · titanium white · payne's gray · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix Payne's gray with white for the sky and snow shadows. Use black sparingly for the cottage and tree branches. Add a touch of blue to the white for cooler snow tones.

techniques