plate no. 6992
Schneeschmelze (Melting Snow)
Max Pechstein, 1922
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using color to create depth and mood. Students will learn to apply bold brushstrokes and mix colors to represent light and shadow in a winter landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, trees, and landscape, focusing on composition.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, varying the tones for depth.
- step 03
Paint the building using muted greens and grays, adding darker tones for shadows.
- step 04
Apply the snow with thick strokes of white, mixing in blues and greens to reflect the sky and surrounding colors.
- step 05
Paint the trees with bold strokes of green and brown, adding red accents for branches.
- step 06
Define the foreground with blues, greens, and browns, using short, broken strokes to suggest texture.
- step 07
Add details like the windows and tree branches with a smaller brush.
- step 08
Review and adjust colors and values to achieve the desired mood and balance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red
Mix greens by blending blues and yellows, and create grays by combining complementary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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