plate no. 1798

Winter Clock Tower

Adolf Hitler, 1910

watercolorImpressionismlandscapeclock towerwintersnowtreesbuildingswall

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective with watercolor washes and capturing the texture of brick and bare trees. Students will develop skills in layering colors and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the clock tower, the wall, the tree, and the rooftops.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted blue-gray for the sky, allowing it to dry completely.
step 03
Paint the clock tower with a diluted ochre wash, adding shadows with a slightly darker mix.
step 04
Layer washes of brown and burnt sienna to build up the texture and color of the brick wall.
step 05
Add the snow details with white or a very light blue wash, leaving some areas unpainted to suggest texture.
step 06
Paint the tree trunk and branches with a mix of brown and black, using a fine brush for the delicate branches.
step 07
Add details to the rooftops with red and orange washes, and suggest snow accumulation.
step 08
Add final details and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix burnt sienna and raw umber for the brick. Use cerulean blue diluted for the sky and snow shadows. Mix cadmium red with a touch of burnt sienna for the rooftops.

techniques