plate no. 2302

Approaching Snowstorm

Tom Thomson, 1915

oil, woodPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapeskycloudsfieldhillstrees

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to create dynamic skies and atmospheric perspective using visible brushstrokes and a limited color palette. Students will also practice simplifying complex landscapes 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 horizon line and the shapes of the clouds and hills.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the storm cloud and the foreground hills using a dark brown or blue.
step 03
Paint the sky with broad, vertical strokes, blending blues, grays, and whites to create the effect of rain.
step 04
Add lighter values to the clouds where the sun is breaking through, using creams, yellows, and light blues.
step 05
Paint the fields with horizontal strokes, using browns, yellows, and greens, varying the values to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the foreground, such as grasses and small trees, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the clouds and hills to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Mix blues and browns with white to create the various shades of gray in the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the fields, adding touches of green for variation. Mix white with a touch of yellow or blue to create the highlights in the clouds.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy effect.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, which can make the painting look flat.
→Overworking the details, which can detract from the overall impression.
→Failing to capture the dynamic movement of the storm clouds.