plate no. 8977

Winter in the Connecticut Hills

Childe Hassam, 1906

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapesnowbuildingstreeshillssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as using visible brushstrokes to convey a sense of movement and atmosphere. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the shapes of the hills, and the placement of the buildings.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of blue, gray, and white, blending the colors to create a cloudy effect.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with varying shades of blue, using darker tones for the shadows and lighter tones for the highlights.
step 04
Paint the trees and bushes with short, broken strokes of blue, white, and brown, suggesting the texture of the branches and foliage.
step 05
Apply a base layer of white for the snow-covered ground, then add shadows and highlights with touches of blue, gray, and pink.
step 06
Paint the buildings with warm colors like red and orange, adding details such as windows and roofs.
step 07
Add final details to the snow, such as tracks and shadows, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust the colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · payne's gray · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix blues and white for the sky and distant hills. Use burnt sienna and white for the buildings, adding touches of red for warmth. Mix blue, white, and a touch of sienna for the snow shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much detail and failing to capture the overall impression of the scene.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat, uninteresting painting.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.