plate no. 2461

Spring Thaw, Baie-Saint-Paul

Clarence Gagnon, 1922

oilImpressionismlandscapebuildingssnowtreeslandscapestreamwinter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how light affects the appearance of snow and buildings in a winter landscape. It also provides practice in depicting bare trees and reflections in water.

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 buildings, stream, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with light blue and dark blue pastel.
step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the buildings, using browns, yellows, and touches of red.
step 04
Add details to the trees and branches using dark brown or black pastel.
step 05
Develop the snow texture by layering white, blue, and purple pastels.
step 06
Create the reflections in the stream using yellows, browns, and blues.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to achieve a harmonious effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · violet

Mix blues and whites for the snow shadows. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre for the buildings, adding red for the roofs. Mix blues and browns for the stream.

techniques