plate no. 4503

An Indian Summer View of the Farm & Stock of James C. Cornell

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)animal paintingfarmanimalslandscapebuildingstreessky

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice layering and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also develop skills in rendering animals and architectural details in a simplified, folk-art style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of major elements like buildings and the herd of animals.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, blended wash of pink and blue.
step 03
Block in the background hills and fields with muted greens and browns, using lighter values for distant areas.
step 04
Paint the buildings with simple shapes and colors, paying attention to the perspective of the structures.
step 05
Begin adding the trees, using thin, delicate lines for the branches.
step 06
Block in the general shapes and colors of the animals, starting with the larger masses.
step 07
Add details to the animals, such as markings and facial features, using small brushes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition with highlights and shadows, and add any final details.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, cerulean blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the pinkish sky by diluting cadmium red and titanium white.

techniques