Winter at Aislaby, oil on board, (25x30cm)
How to paint snow in oils
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How to paint snow in oils
‘Love it or hate it, snow has always been an inspiration for artists,’ says Christine Pybus. ‘Many of the world’s most iconic paintings are snow scenes, ranging from the winter scenes of Bruegel to Monet’s La Pie or Magpie on a Gate.
‘How the impressionists embraced the subject, and in particular Monet and Pissarro, is testament to just how perfect oil paint is for capturing the light, contrast and the texture of snow.
‘Texture is an added dimension afforded by the medium. A gorgeous thick brushful of white paint put down in one stroke creates its own shadows and has direction that helps to suggest the contours and perspective in what can initially seem a daunting and uniform landscape.
‘If I hadn’t already given the game away, I do have to confess to being a lover of snow, so much so that whenever I open the curtains and find the sun rising on a crisp and even covering outside, I just have to be out there painting’.
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A Winter Morning, Robin Hood’s Bay, oil on board, (30x38cm)
A composition created by using the dark hedgerows converging on the sweep of the bay. Note the gap in the foreground hedge and just a suggestion of a path, which are used to break up that dark foreground line and to lead the eye into the picture.
Observation
There are invariably long shadows in winter and these are essential to describing the contours of the landscape under snow. Just one shadow from a tree, a figure or a telegraph pole, even an imaginary one placed off the picture, can be used to describe the hollow of a country lane, a steep bankside or a pavement edge. Look for these shadows, move one from elsewhere or invent one.
On a white surface, such as snow, the shadows will be the complementary colour of the light source, which is the sun: yellow/orange depending upon the time of the day. Check on a colour wheel and you’ll find that these shadows, opposite on the wheel to the warm yellows, are a beautiful purple/blue.
Counter-change, another of those oft-used terms, is useful for painting snow. In reality it simply means that objects viewed against a dark background will appear light; the same object viewed against a light background will appear darker. In Winter at Aislaby, the snow is white against the blue sky, changing to blue against the white snow.
Winter at Aislaby, oil on board, (25x30cm)
This was painted rapidly while sitting on the back of my car, using the shelter of the tailgate. An example of counter-change, the falling snow changing from white against the sky to blue against the snow. The white snow highlights are in fact reflecting the sunlight and are therefore not pure white. Whites will appear sharper and more vibrant against the shadows with just the tiniest hint of lemon yellow added to them.
Technique
The whites (with just a hint of lemon yellow) are put on last.
To achieve the light, opacity and texture needed, the whites need be put on thickly and with immediate brushstrokes and, believe me, that is such a joy to do! However, to try to put any meaningful darks back on top of those brushstrokes would simply result in a grey mud. Hence the dark areas must be established first and, once they are, carefully guarded. If lost, they can only be re-established a week or two later when the whites are completely dry, when they can then be painted back on top of the lighter areas. So establish the dark areas, which will also serve as a drawing, first.
Don’t be afraid to overdo them initially in both size and intensity; they will be modified as the thicker light areas are painted around them and once the lights are fully established the darks can then be softened as necessary.
A Winter Afternoon at Raw, oil on board, (20x27cm)
Having loosely suggested the middle distance trees, I applied the thick whites, taking care to follow the contours of the landscape with the brushmarks.
Once the board was completely covered I softened the darks as necessary, modifying and refining the shapes by adding more background colour around them.
Finally the figure was re-established.
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FALLING SNOW
UrArtStudio.com presents “FALLING SNOW,” a captivating original acrylic painting that transports viewers to the serene beauty of a snowy landscape. Measuring 12×14 inches and created using acrylics, this piece stands as a testament to the artist’s boundless creativity and unique vision.
The painting’s allure lies in its ability to evoke the tranquility of a snowy day. Imagine standing amidst a pristine winter landscape, watching delicate snowflakes drift gently to the ground. The painting captures this moment perfectly, making it feel like a timeless dream.
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Category: ART GALLERY and VIDEO TUTORIALS Tags: ACRYLIC PAINTING, ORIGINAL PAINTING
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Description
UrArtStudio.com presents “FALLING SNOW,” a captivating original acrylic painting that transports viewers to the serene beauty of a snowy landscape. Measuring 12×14 inches and created using acrylics, this piece stands as a testament to the artist’s boundless creativity and unique vision.
The painting’s allure lies in its ability to evoke the tranquility of a snowy day. Imagine standing amidst a pristine winter landscape, watching delicate snowflakes drift gently to the ground. The painting captures this moment perfectly, making it feel like a timeless dream. The high-gloss acrylic varnish not only preserves the artwork but also lends it a glossy, lifelike quality, enhancing the viewer’s experience.
“FALLING SNOW” is not just a painting; it is a singular and original work of art. Its power lies in its capacity to draw viewers into a winter wonderland, allowing them to experience the calm and beauty of nature’s artistry.
This piece invites you to invest in more than just an artwork; it’s an investment in the ethereal beauty of the winter landscape and the artist’s unique perspective. “FALLING SNOW” preserves the serenity of a snowy day, inviting you to revisit this peaceful scene whenever you desire. This painting is an affirmation of nature’s timeless charm, reminding us of the serenity that lies within the changing seasons.
Falling Snow
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Falling Snow embodies the quiet embrace of a cool wintery white touched with a tiny hint of green.
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* One-coat hide guaranteed when tinted into BEHR DYNASTY ™ and MARQUEE ® Interior paint. Limitations apply. For more information, visit the One-Coat Color Guarantee page.
* One-coat hide guaranteed when tinted into BEHR MARQUEE ® Exterior paint. Limitations apply. For more information, visit the Marquee Guarantee page.
* One-coat hide guaranteed when tinted into BEHR DYNASTY ™ Interior and MARQUEE ® Interior and Exterior paint. Limitations apply. For more information, visit the One-Coat Color Guarantee page.
COLOR FADE PROTECTION valid only when tinted to colors from the BEHR DYNASTY® Exterior Paints specially curated Exterior Color Fade Protection Palette. Based on predictive lab testing with a color shift less than Delta E of 5 as measured by CieLAB. A primer coat may be needed see back label instructions for details. Two coats of BEHR DYNASTY® Exterior Paint are recommended for optimal durability. Individual results may vary.
