plate no. 2696

02. Lytham Windmill 2017 by Anthony D. Padgett (after Le Moulin De La Galette Van Gogh Paris 1886)

Anthony Padgett, 2017

oilPost-Impressionismsymbolic paintingwindmillbuildingskycloudsfieldarchitecture

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice impasto techniques and learn how to create texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to explore simplified color mixing and basic perspective.

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 windmill, building, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, following the direction of the clouds.
step 03
Paint the windmill with gray, adding darker shadows and lighter highlights.
step 04
Add the details of the windmill blades and the surrounding structure.
step 05
Paint the building with red and gray, defining the roof and walls.
step 06
Create the field with green and yellow strokes, using a broken color technique.
step 07
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · black · gray

Mix shades of blue for the sky by adding white to ultramarine blue. Create gray by mixing black and white, and adjust the tone with touches of blue or red.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·blocking in
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which will flatten the texture.
→Making the brushstrokes too uniform, which will look unnatural.
→Not varying the pressure on the brush, resulting in a monotonous texture.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes, which can create a sense of movement.