plate no. 9106

The Hudson at Inwood

Ernest Lawson, 1917

oil, canvasImpressionismlandscapelandscapesnowriverbuildingstreeshill

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing the subtle nuances of light in a winter landscape. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the horizon line and the major landforms.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of pale blue and white, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the large areas of snow-covered hills using a mix of white, blue, and touches of yellow and pink.
step 04
Define the water area with muted greens and blues, reflecting the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Add the darker accents of the buildings and trees, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce warmer tones in the foreground rocks and vegetation to create depth and contrast.
step 07
Refine the details with small touches of color, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights to the snow and water to create a sense of sparkle.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix white with small amounts of blue, yellow, and pink to create the various shades of snow. Use a combination of blue and yellow to achieve the muted greens of the water. Add burnt sienna to the white to create the warmer tones in the foreground.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Creating too much detail, losing the impressionistic feel.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, viridian green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags