plate no. 8853

Tough Winter

Petre Abrudan, 1938

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguressnowumbrellasbuildingwinterlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion and creating a sense of atmosphere through color and brushwork. It's a good exercise in simplifying forms and focusing on the overall impression rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and snow.
step 03
Add the basic colors for the building and figures, using thin washes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the snow and clothing.
step 06
Add details such as the umbrellas and the fence, keeping them simple and suggestive.
step 07
Refine the figures' forms and add highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the falling snow, using small dots of white paint.

color palette

primary · gray · white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of blue or umber. Use yellow ochre and white for the building, and mix burnt umber with blue and red for the darker areas of the figures.

techniques