Sketching Winter: a new online course
Posted: January 9, 2021 Filed under: Uncategorized 14 CommentsI’ve been painting the little patch of woods near my house for years. It’s not much to look at in summer — just some trees and rocks sandwiched between a schoolyard and a park, and bordered by suburban houses. But in winter I take my dog Alice for a walk through there every morning and afternoon, and I’m often greeted by fascinating shadow patterns on the snow and the rocks, especially after a fresh snowfall. I often take a reference photo and paint it when I get back home.
Students have been asking me to do a snow demo for a long time, so my first online class for 2021 is called “Sketching Winter: Capturing the Colours of Snow“. In this class, I take you for a walk through my woods in winter, and then back to the studio to paint.
You won’t need a full palette of colours to paint this scene — especially as it can appear nearly monochrome. That’s why I use a limited palette for my winter landscapes. I’ll show you which colours I use, and share my favourite mix for painting shadows on snow.
At first, this might seem like a complex scene because the woods are a bit overgrown. But I always find ways to simplify what I see, and break up the scene into manageable parts that you can paint in several steps.
Even if you live in a warm climate, you might still enjoy the challenge and fun of painting a wintery scene. For a preview of “Sketching Winter” have a look at the trailer.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Already signed up the day you uploaded it, lol! It is pouring down snow today here in Manitou Springs, Colorado, so what a perfect day to dive into the class! Thank you!!
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HI Yvonne. Thanks so much. I hope you enjoy the class, and I’m happy to hear that you will be able to get your own inspiration there!
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Can’t wait to get started! This is one of my favorite scenes of yours!
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Thanks so much Denise. I hope you enjoy the class.
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I hate snow! But as long as I can paint it, that would be great. Looking forward to taking your course. (I’m more of the Summer Blooms gal, and will most likely take that one too!)
Stay warm!!
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I used to hate winter too but now I look forward to the snow so I can paint it! Hope you like the class.
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Oh! You look so happy in your snowy woods! What a fun-sounding new class.
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Thanks Betsy!
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Here in eastern England this winter has been mostly mud-coloured but we get a beautiful light on bright days. Slightly different palette to Canada.
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Hi Lesley,
We had a long period of mud colour too, but finally we have a bit of whiteness. Not a whole lot but enough to film a bit of the course intro on location, which also makes it nice.
Hope you get a bit of snow too.
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I just finished the course and just loved it! THANK YOU Shari!
Sharing your colors and technique for shadows on snow helped me so much — I did all three challenge photos and can’t wait to paint snow in Colorado plein aire!
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Ah, thank you so much Brenda. I am so happy to hear this. You should post your Colorado scenes on the site too!!
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Hi Sheri Happy to see your ,snow sketch,,,,,,I have been your fan for a really long time ……I have a zillion little May I ask, j sketch paintings except mine are21/2 by or 3 and a bit .”………it’s amazing the depth and amount of . information available On such a tinypallet. Our”our snowfall or lack of it has everyone wondering “when? May I ask what size you sketch on? Cheers and happy painting Josie. Ottawa, Canada
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HI Josie, Thanks so much for writing. Are you asking about size for this sketch for the course or in general?
Normally I sketch in a book that is 8″ x 8″ or 8″ x 11″. I used to work smaller but not so much anymore.
Shari
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