plate no. 7410

Round Lake, Mud Bay

Tom Thomson, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelakeskytreesbirdsmountainssunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and creating atmospheric perspective with color and brushstrokes. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, mountains, trees, and bird formation.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow and orange for the sky and lake.
step 03
Build up the sky with thick, directional brushstrokes of yellow, orange, and blue.
step 04
Add the mountain silhouette with dark blue or black, blending slightly into the sky.
step 05
Paint the trees on the left with dark greens and blacks, using short, choppy strokes.
step 06
Create the water reflection with horizontal strokes of purple, blue, and orange.
step 07
Add the flock of birds with small, dark strokes.
step 08
Refine details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium orange · titanium white · purple

Mix yellow ochre and white for the bright sky. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark silhouettes. Mix purple from red and blue for the water reflections.

techniques