plate no. 0413

Grey Day, Laurentians

A.Y. Jackson, 1928

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapebuildingssnowlandscapeskymountainstrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmosphere and mood through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and sky, paying attention to the composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, hills, and snow-covered ground using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering darker tones to define the shapes of the buildings and the shadows in the snow.
step 04
Add highlights to the snow and buildings to create a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Refine the details of the buildings, such as the logs and roofline.
step 06
Work on the sky, blending colors to create a sense of atmosphere and movement.
step 07
Add final touches, such as small details in the foreground and subtle variations in the snow.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the painting as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · burnt sienna · payne's grey

Mix raw umber and white for the sky and shadows in the snow. Use yellow ochre and white for the highlights in the snow. Add small amounts of viridian or burnt sienna to the snow to create subtle color variations.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using too much white and creating a flat, lifeless effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow and sky.
→Not paying attention to the composition and creating a cluttered or unbalanced painting.