plate no. 7721

The Dyckman House

Ernest Lawson, 1913

oilImpressionismlandscapesnowhousestreesfigurescarriagestreet lamp

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to represent light and atmosphere in a winter scene. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the overall impression rather than precise details.

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 houses, trees, and figures, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the sky color with a light blue wash, allowing some variation.
step 03
Block in the larger areas of snow with a mix of white, blue, and ochre, varying the tones.
step 04
Add the darker values for the buildings and trees using blues, browns, and purples.
step 05
Begin applying short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest detail in the snow and foliage.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the figures and carriage, keeping them loose and impressionistic.
step 07
Add highlights to the snow and buildings to create a sense of light and form.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix white with small amounts of blue and ochre to create the various shades of snow. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark neutrals for the buildings and trees. Add alizarin crimson to burnt umber for the red accents.

techniques