plate no. 2558

16. The Painter on His Way to Work 2017 by Anthony D. Padgett (after Van Gogh Arles 1888)

Anthony Padgett, 2017

oilPointillismsymbolic paintingfiguretreeslandscapeskyfieldclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto brushwork and color mixing to achieve a vibrant, textured surface. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive use of color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, creating a textured effect.
step 03
Add the distant trees and field using varying shades of green and brown.
step 04
Paint the figure with bold strokes of blue, highlighting the form with lighter shades.
step 05
Add details to the figure, such as the hat, face, and the object he is holding.
step 06
Paint the foreground with horizontal strokes of brown and beige, suggesting the path.
step 07
Add small details like the small plants and the branches of the trees.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix blue and white for the sky, various greens for the fields, and browns with white and yellow ochre for the ground. Use pure blue for the suit, and mix browns and yellows for the figure's skin and hat.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which will reduce the textured effect.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Using too much detail, which will detract from the overall impression.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless surface.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, sap green)
·assorted flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags