plate no. 3396

View of Roofs (Snow Effect) or Roofs under Snow

oil, canvasImpressionismcityscaperoofssnowbuildingscityscapechimneyswinter

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in rendering textures of snow and rooftops using broken color and visible brushstrokes. Students can learn to create atmospheric perspective by layering cool colors and softening edges in the distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the roofs and buildings, focusing on perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of cool blues and grays.
step 03
Begin blocking in the larger areas of snow-covered roofs with mixtures of white, blue, and gray.
step 04
Add details to the roofs, such as chimneys and dormer windows, using slightly darker values.
step 05
Create texture in the snow by applying short, broken brushstrokes and varying the color temperature.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere and distance.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the snow colors by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the chimneys, muted with umber for shadows.

techniques