plate no. 5594

The Delaware Valley

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapesnowbuildingstreesriverhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how light affects the appearance of snow and buildings. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a landscape with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings, river, and hills.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad strokes, using a mix of blues, greens, and whites.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the hills and snow-covered areas, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, using a variety of colors to suggest different materials and textures.
step 05
Paint the trees, focusing on their bare branches and the way they intersect with the sky.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the snow, using cool blues and purples to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, including the snow-covered ground and any visible rocks or vegetation.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix blues and whites for the sky and snow shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the buildings and tree branches. Add small amounts of red and green to create variations in the snow and foliage.

techniques