plate no. 3834
Snow
M.C. Escher, 1936
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice value studies and creating depth using a limited palette. Students can learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: cabin, pole, mountains, and foreground.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the cabin and pole with a dark tone.
- step 03
Begin filling in the snow areas, varying the value to create form and depth.
- step 04
Add the details of the cabin, fence, and power lines.
- step 05
Work on the mountain range in the background, using lighter values to suggest distance.
- step 06
Define the foreground snow and vegetation with varied values and textures.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights to enhance the three-dimensional effect.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed for overall balance.
color palette
primary · black · white · gray
secondary ·
Varying shades of gray are achieved by mixing black and white in different ratios. Use thin washes for lighter tones and thicker applications for darker areas.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·hatching
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →making the snow too uniform
- →losing the sense of depth
- →overworking the details
- →not varying the gray tones enough
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·eraser
- ·drawing paper
- ·ruler
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·cotton swabs
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·sandpaper block
Use a variety of pencils to achieve different values. Keep your pencils sharp for fine details.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
