plate no. 4968

Winter Afternoon

Willard Metcalf, 1917

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowhousestreeswinterlandscapesky

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to mix subtle color variations in snow and create depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can practice layering and blending techniques to achieve the soft, impressionistic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, trees, and snow drifts, focusing on composition.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending towards the horizon.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with muted blues and purples to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering the snow with various shades of white, blue, and purple, capturing the shadows and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the houses, including windows, doors, and roof lines, using a limited palette of grays and blues.
step 06
Paint the trees with thin, vertical strokes, varying the color and thickness to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details in the foreground snow, adding texture and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber for snow shadows. Use yellow ochre and umber for the warm tones in the buildings. Add alizarin crimson to blue and umber for purplish shadows.

techniques