plate no. 5074
The Winter Road, Quebec
A.Y. Jackson, 1921
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice simplified forms and color blocking to create a landscape. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, the hill, and the road.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light, muted color.
- step 03
Establish the overall snow-covered ground with a base color, considering the shadows.
- step 04
Paint the hill and the village rooftops with simplified shapes and varied colors.
- step 05
Add the fence in the foreground, paying attention to its angles and perspective.
- step 06
Refine the road by adding subtle variations in color and value to suggest tracks.
- step 07
Add details to the village, such as windows or doors, using simple shapes.
- step 08
Review the painting and add any final touches or adjustments to balance the composition.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian · burnt sienna
Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the various shades of snow. Use viridian sparingly to add cool tones to the village and sky.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color blocking
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified shapes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive style.
- →Creating mud by overmixing colors.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow.
- →Making the village too uniform and lacking visual interest.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.
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