plate no. 2301

Entrance to Halifax Harbour

A.Y. Jackson, 1919

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapetownsnowharborbuildingsskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in applying broken color and creating a sense of depth through layering and color temperature. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive brushwork.

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 shapes of the town, hills, and water.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad strokes, using a muted color palette.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the hills and foreground, using earth tones and varying the color temperature to suggest depth.
step 04
Add the basic shapes of the buildings, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Begin layering colors and textures to create the effect of snow and the varied surfaces of the buildings and landscape.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to define the details of the buildings and the textures of the landscape.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · violet · sap green

Mix muted blues and grays for the sky and water by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and white. Achieve the snow effect by mixing white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and red to create subtle variations in color temperature.

techniques