plate no. 3980

Baie-Saint-Paul

Clarence Gagnon, 1917

oilImpressionismlandscapewintersnowlandscapevillageskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature in shadows and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and soft blending techniques.

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 major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Establish the dark blue tones of the distant hills and the tree line.
step 04
Apply the base color for the snow-covered areas, a mix of white and a touch of blue.
step 05
Add shadows to the snow using varying shades of blue and violet, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Paint the distant village with small strokes of muted colors, suggesting details without being overly precise.
step 07
Add details to the foreground trees, using darker blues and purples.
step 08
Refine the details and blend the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · violet · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix blues with white to create various shades of snow and sky. Use violet and raw umber to create shadows in the snow. Add small amounts of yellow ochre to warm up the whites.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·color temperature
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Making the shadows too dark
→Using pure white without any color
→Losing the soft, atmospheric effect

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·easel

Use a medium that promotes blending to achieve the soft, atmospheric effect. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color harmony.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein