plate no. 3857

River St. Urbain

A.Y. Jackson, 1930

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapesnowtreesmountainscabinriver

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning how to depict snow and shadows using color temperature variations. It also helps develop skills in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: mountains, river, foreground, and cabin.
step 02
Block in the sky and distant mountains with light washes of color.
step 03
Establish the main areas of snow, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
step 04
Paint the dark shapes of the trees, varying their sizes and spacing.
step 05
Add the cabin, focusing on its simple form and the shadows it casts.
step 06
Refine the details of the snow, adding subtle color variations and textures.
step 07
Add the shadows of the trees and cabin, using a cooler color.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of red for warm snow highlights. Add a touch of blue to the white for cooler shadows. Use burnt umber for dark tree trunks and cabin details.

techniques