plate no. 3729

64. Field with Wheat Stacks 2017 by Anthony D. Padgett (after Van Gogh Auvers Sur Oise 1890)

Anthony Padgett, 2017

oilPost-Impressionismsymbolic paintingfieldhay balesskylandscapewheathorizon

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing impasto techniques and understanding how to create depth through color and brushstroke direction. Students will also learn how to simplify a complex scene into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the hay bales and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, using short, vertical brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the background trees with a darker green, using horizontal strokes.
step 04
Begin blocking in the field with various shades of yellow, ochre, and brown, using directional brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the wheat.
step 05
Add the hay bales, starting with the large one in the foreground, using a mix of white, brown, and grey.
step 06
Refine the details of the hay bales, adding shadows and highlights to create a sense of form.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values of the field to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of yellow and brown for the field, using white to lighten and umber to darken. Achieve the sky color by mixing white with a touch of blue.

techniques

·impasto
·directional brushstrokes
·color mixing
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes, which can flatten the image.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the focal point.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.