plate no. 9015

Winter comes from the Arctic to the Temperate Zone

Lawren Harris, 1935

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)landscapemountainsicewaterlandscapesnowarctic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and understanding atmospheric perspective through subtle color variations. It also encourages practice in layering and blending to create smooth transitions.

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: mountains, foreground, and water line.
step 02
Block in the darkest values first, focusing on the water and shadows.
step 03
Apply the mid-tones to the mountains and foreground, blending edges.
step 04
Add the lightest values to the snow-covered areas, creating highlights.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the mountains and ice formations.
step 06
Add subtle color variations to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Pay attention to the reflections in the water.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Burnt Umber · Payne's Gray · Light Blue

Mix blues and white for the mountains, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Use burnt umber and Prussian blue for the dark water. Mix white with yellow ochre for the foreground snow.

techniques