plate no. 9339

Rang Saint-Laurent, Baie-Saint-Paul

Clarence Gagnon, 1924

oilImpressionismlandscapemountainssnowvillagetreesskylandscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in capturing the subtle color variations in snow and creating depth using atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use expressive brushstrokes.

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 mountains, village, and foreground snow drifts.
step 02
Establish the dark values of the mountains and sky using a mix of blues and browns.
step 03
Block in the general color of the snow, using a mix of white, blue, and a touch of yellow and pink.
step 04
Add the warm colors of the trees and buildings, paying attention to their placement and size.
step 05
Refine the shapes and values of the snow drifts, adding shadows and highlights.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture in the snow and trees.
step 07
Add final details to the buildings and trees, such as windows and branches.
step 08
Soften edges where needed to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and pink to create the various shades of snow. Use burnt sienna and alizarin crimson for warm tones in the trees and buildings. Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark mountains.

techniques

·broken color
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·color temperature
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the snow and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Making the colors too saturated and not capturing the muted tones of the winter landscape.
→Failing to create a sense of depth by not varying the values and colors of the mountains and foreground.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow.