plate no. 4755

Outside an Inn, Winter

oilRococogenre paintingbuildingfiguressnowhorsedogtree

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures of snow, wood, and animal fur. It also offers practice in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow in a winter landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the building, figures, horse, and tree.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, starting with the sky and then moving to the building, snow, and figures.
step 04
Develop the details of the building, paying attention to the texture of the thatched roof and the weathered walls.
step 05
Render the figures and animals, focusing on accurate proportions and realistic fur and clothing textures.
step 06
Add the details of the tree, using a dry brush technique to create the texture of the bark and branches.
step 07
Refine the snow, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or black. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the snow and building.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife