plate no. 9748

Quai de la Gare, Snow

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesfiguresstreetsky

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and how to use color temperature to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing movement and atmosphere with loose brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and street, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-grey wash.
step 03
Establish the main color masses of the buildings using yellows, ochres, and browns.
step 04
Add the trees using short, broken brushstrokes of yellow, orange, and brown.
step 05
Paint the street with a mix of white, grey, and touches of blue and yellow.
step 06
Add the figures and carriages using simplified shapes and dark colors.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix various shades of grey by combining white, blue, and a touch of brown. Use yellow ochre and white to create the building's base color, adding touches of burnt umber for shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·wet-on-dry
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Using too much detail in the figures, making them stand out too much.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat image.
→Failing to capture the atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.