plate no. 5895
Snow Plow
Alex Colville, 1967
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating realistic textures, rendering form with subtle value changes, and understanding atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, snow, truck, and figure.
- step 03
Refine the colors and values in the sky and snow, creating subtle variations in tone.
- step 04
Add details to the truck, including the plow, wheels, and lettering.
- step 05
Render the figure, paying attention to the folds and shadows in the clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and edges, creating a sense of realism.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjustments as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium red · ivory black
secondary · raw umber · cerulean blue
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue and umber to create the snow and sky. Use red and black to create the orange-red of the truck. Use umber and white to create the figure's clothing.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (if using oils)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas to achieve the desired level of detail. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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