How to Paint Snow, Clouds or anything perceived as White
Artists often use a variety of colors and techniques to create the illusion of white without actually using pure white paint. Instead, they may use values of blue, gray, yellow, or other colors to convey the subtleties of light, shadow, and texture that make up what we perceive as “white.”
In this painting by Isaac Levitan (1860-1900) “The Forest in Winter” you see his beautiful snowy landscape with all its nuances with subtle variations in color and reflections. I took this painting into procreate to see the colors he may have used. I was amazed to see green snow.
The truth about snow, clouds or anything we perceive as white is that because of relativity, colors are always reflected into each other, and white objects tend to amplify that effect. Instead of white we use colors that are reflected into the white based on, the light source, the objects next to the white and the color temperatures. I have found the best way to learn to paint these subtle color nuances of “white objects” ex. snow, clouds, is to create a Toilet Paper Study inside a box lined with construction paper.
You might ask why use toilet paper; the reason is that toilet paper is reflective like snow or clouds. Setting this up inside the comfort of your studio gives you the opportunity to practice find creative ways to paint “white” with color.
How to make your own TP color box
- Any box that will hold the TP
- Construction paper
- Line box with the paper using different colors for each of the walls and floor, ceiling is optional.
- Place TP inside
- Use a clip light to illuminate the interior (Lepower clip-on light, ordered through Amazon)
Set up the TP box then take photos, if you have Procreate take the photos into the App and find out what colors are being reflected. You can see that any white, whether it is snow, clouds or toilet paper will reflect colors around it. When you are painting snow, clouds either plein air or in studio from photos, remember to consider the light source, the objects next to the white and the color temperatures that may be reflected into the white.
This Toilet Paper exercise was the basis for a class I did several years ago, before covid, the class was about “How to Paint White Clouds”. The entire class painted toilet paper in boxes lined with construction paper. Then Covid happened and if you remember there was a toilet paper shortage, it seemed that a lot of people were suddenly interested in buying a “StrockWasson Toilet Paper” painting!
If you decide to try this exercise of painting toilet paper, please post to the PSWC Facebook page.
About Carol:
In 2019 Carol achieved Master Circle status with IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) and in 2022 became a Master at Pastel Society of America.
Carol’s work encompasses the genre of the rural area she lives in, focusing on color, shape, and design in the plein air tradition as well as in the studio. Though she is known mainly for her work in the pastel medium, she also works in oil and monotype prints.
Carol teaches and works out of Strockwasson Studio at 317 N Columbia, Union City, Indiana. Her commitment is to teach the importance of the fundamentals in art whatever medium used.
Website: carolstrockwasson.com
Email: carol@strockwasson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolstrockwasson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/strockwasson/
