plate no. 5022

Winter

Victor Zaretsky, 1983

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapesnowbuildingslandscapeskywinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the buildings and foreground elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a dark blue-gray, blending it slightly towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the snow-covered ground with a lighter blue-gray, creating a soft transition from the sky.
step 04
Paint the distant buildings with muted blues and grays, focusing on their simplified forms.
step 05
Add the foreground building, using a slightly darker green-gray for the structure and white for the snow on the roof.
step 06
Introduce subtle variations in the snow, using slightly warmer and cooler grays to create depth.
step 07
Add details like the ladder, fence, and small figures with thin brushstrokes.
step 08
Soften edges and blend areas to create a sense of atmosphere and cohesion.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue-gray by combining ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a touch of raw umber. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre sparingly to add warmth to the snow and buildings.

techniques