plate no. 6250

Winter Landscape with Skaters and a Bird Trap

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancelandscapewinterlandscapefiguresvillageicesnow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many small figures. It also provides practice in creating a limited color palette and achieving a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes and perspective lines of the landscape and buildings.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant background with a thin, blended layer of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the buildings and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Add the ice surface, using horizontal strokes to suggest its flatness and reflections.
step 05
Paint in the figures on the ice, starting with the larger ones and gradually adding smaller details.
step 06
Develop the foreground elements, such as the trees and bushes, with more detail and texture.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as the birds and snow on the rooftops.