plate no. 2140

59. Ears of Wheat 2017 by Anthony D. Padgett (after Van Gogh Auvers Sur Oise 1890)

Anthony Padgett, 2017

oilPost-Impressionismsymbolic paintingwheatfieldgrassplantsnaturecrops

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto brushwork and color mixing to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in observing and simplifying complex natural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare your canvas with a base layer of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 02
Lightly sketch the general arrangement of the wheat stalks and heads.
step 03
Begin applying the darkest tones of brown and green to establish the background and shadows.
step 04
Use short, thick brushstrokes to build up the texture of the wheat stalks, varying the direction of the strokes.
step 05
Mix lighter shades of yellow and brown to highlight the wheat heads, using impasto techniques.
step 06
Add touches of white to the tips of the wheat heads to create highlights and visual interest.
step 07
Refine the shapes and colors of the grass stalks, using a mix of green and yellow.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the wheat. Add white to lighten. Use viridian green with yellow ochre for the grass. Vary the proportions for different shades.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·directional brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which will flatten the texture.
→Using too much detail in the initial sketch, making it difficult to achieve the loose, expressive style.
→Not varying the direction of the brushstrokes, resulting in a monotonous texture.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and dark areas.