plate no. 8806

A Silent Stream of the North

Clarence Gagnon, 1921

oilImpressionismlandscaperivertreessnowmountainswintersky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in using visible brushstrokes to suggest texture and form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the river, mountains, and trees.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted paint, focusing on the dark areas of the trees and the lighter areas of the mountains and snow.
step 03
Begin layering colors in the sky, using blues and whites to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 04
Develop the trees with dark blues and greens, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Paint the mountains with a mix of blues, whites, and grays, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 06
Add the snow with thick, textured brushstrokes of white and light blues.
step 07
Paint the river with dark blues and greens, reflecting the colors of the surrounding landscape.
step 08
Add final details, such as the bare branches of the trees and the reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix blues and whites for the sky and snow. Use burnt umber and blue to create the dark tones of the trees and river. Add yellow ochre to the white for the snow highlights.

techniques