plate no. 6460

Winter Time

oilPost-Impressionismcityscapewindowflowerscityscapesnowbuildingstable

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of falling snow. Students can also develop skills in rendering indoor still life elements with soft, diffused lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the major shapes: window frame, buildings, and tabletop objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of cool grays and blues to represent the snowy atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes of the buildings, using lighter values for snow-covered surfaces and darker values for shadows.
step 04
Paint the window frame with warm browns and reds, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add the flower pot and flowers, focusing on capturing the vibrant red color and the overall shape of the plant.
step 06
Paint the objects on the table, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 07
Add the falling snow using small, irregular dots of white paint.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · payne's gray

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the red flower color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of umber for depth.

techniques

·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the snow, making it appear too uniform and dense.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background, resulting in a flat image.
→Using overly bright colors for the buildings, which should be muted by the snow and atmosphere.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in color and value within the window frame and tabletop objects.