plate no. 6051

Misty Day in Winter, Baie-Saint-Paul

Clarence Gagnon, 1915

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowtreesbuildingsskyvillagewinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in snow and sky, as well as loose brushwork to suggest texture and form.

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 placement of the buildings, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow and white, allowing for some variation in tone.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the buildings with a mix of blue and white, varying the intensity to create depth.
step 04
Add the snow-covered ground with a mix of white, yellow, and blue, paying attention to the subtle color shifts.
step 05
Paint the trees with loose, expressive brushstrokes, using a mix of dark blue and brown.
step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roofs, with small, precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and depth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small branches and details in the snow.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red

Mix white with small amounts of blue and yellow to create the various shades of snow. Use yellow ochre to warm the sky and add highlights to the snow. Mix blue and umber for the darker tones in the trees and buildings.

techniques