plate no. 2234

The squre Abbesses in the Snow

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismcityscapebuildingssnowtreescityscapefiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings and trees, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall composition.
step 03
Apply a thin wash of neutral gray for the sky and distant areas.
step 04
Block in the main colors of the buildings and snow, using a limited palette.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features.
step 06
Paint the trees with thin, gestural strokes, varying the thickness and direction of the lines.
step 07
Add figures and other details to the foreground.
step 08
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the light and shadow.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and umber. Use small amounts of red, yellow, and blue to create subtle color variations in the buildings and snow.

techniques