plate no. 0044

Mill and Stream, Morning Sun

Clarence Gagnon, 1913

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowhousestreesstreamlandscapehills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature in snow and how to create depth using atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in rendering reflections in water and capturing the texture of snow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the house, stream, and hills.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Block in the large areas of snow with varying shades of white, blue, and gray, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the dark blue of the stream, adding reflections of the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Add the houses and trees in the background, using darker values to create depth.
step 06
Paint the main house with its orange roof and yellow walls, adding details like windows and doors.
step 07
Add the bare trees and bushes in the foreground, using thin, delicate brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to the snow and water to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium orange

Mix different shades of white by adding small amounts of blue, yellow, or gray. Achieve the dark blue of the stream by mixing ultramarine blue with burnt umber. Create the orange roof by mixing burnt sienna and cadmium orange.

techniques