plate no. 1608

Rutarhof Hoflicht

oilExpressionismlandscapebuildingssnowtreeslandscapewinternight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create depth using color temperature and practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in layering colors to achieve a desired mood and atmosphere.

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 snow drifts, focusing on composition.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color: dark blue for the sky and snow shadows, lighter blues for the snow highlights, and greens/yellows for the buildings.
step 03
Layer darker blues and purples to create shadows and depth in the snow and on the buildings.
step 04
Add details to the trees using thin lines and varying shades of blue and purple.
step 05
Introduce warm yellows and oranges to the windows of the distant building to create a focal point.
step 06
Refine the edges of the snow drifts and buildings to create a sense of form.
step 07
Add final touches of color and texture to the sky and foreground.
step 08
Consider adding a glaze to unify the colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Ultramarine blue · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Viridian Green · Alizarin Crimson

Mix blues with white for snow highlights, add a touch of yellow ochre to the blues for the building lights, and mix blues with alizarin crimson for the darker shadows. Use viridian green to create the green building.

techniques