plate no. 1088
Laurentian Village
Clarence Gagnon, 1925
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, mountains, and road, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Block in the sky and mountain areas with light washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the snow-covered ground and rooftops.
- step 04
Add darker tones to define the shadows on the buildings and in the snow.
- step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the buildings, varying the hues slightly for interest.
- step 06
Use short, directional brushstrokes to create texture in the snow and on the buildings.
- step 07
Add details like windows, doors, and tree branches with a fine brush.
- step 08
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red light
Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna for the base snow color. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create grays and browns for shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the building colors.
techniques
- ·linear perspective
- ·broken color
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating mud by overmixing colors
- →Ignoring the perspective of the buildings
- →Making the snow too white and flat
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·Flat brush (size 4)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Soft cloth or paper towels
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Color chart
Use a canvas with a medium texture to help create the broken color effect. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their faster drying time.
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