plate no. 2798

Street During Winter

Rudolf Schweitzer-Cumpana, 1934

oilImpressionismlandscapestreettreesbuildingslandscapewinterpath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and layering colors to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing the mood of a winter scene using a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the street, trees, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a mix of dark greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the street and buildings with lighter tones of ochre, yellow, and white.
step 04
Add texture to the street using short, broken brushstrokes and varying the color slightly.
step 05
Define the trees with vertical strokes, using darker colors for the trunks and lighter colors for the branches.
step 06
Add highlights to the buildings to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall impression.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix dark greens by combining ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Create earthy tones by mixing raw umber with yellow ochre and white. Use burnt sienna to add warmth and contrast.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Using too much detail and creating a cluttered composition.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, sap green, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat, round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags