plate no. 1597
Red Sleigh on Winter Road
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing simplified shapes and color blocking. Students will learn to create depth using basic perspective and color temperature.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and road, focusing on simple forms.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving space for clouds.
- step 03
Paint the snow-covered areas with white, adding subtle shadows with light gray.
- step 04
Fill in the red buildings with a flat red color.
- step 05
Add the dark green trees, using vertical strokes to suggest foliage.
- step 06
Paint the details of the sleigh and the figures inside.
- step 07
Add the dark branches of the bare tree.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add any final details.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium red · phthalo green · cerulean blue
secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray
Mix white with a touch of blue for the sky. Use burnt umber and white for the tree trunks and branches. Mix white with a touch of gray for the snow shadows.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·simplified shapes
- ·basic perspective
- ·color blocking
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors and losing the simplicity.
- →Not paying attention to the basic perspective of the road.
- →Making the snow too flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use. A canvas board can be used as a cheaper alternative to a stretched canvas.
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