plate no. 5026

Anderson Farm

George Ault, 1938

oilPrecisionismlandscapebarnfarmbuildingslandscapegrasssky

suitable for beginners

This painting is a good exercise in capturing architectural forms with watercolor and creating depth through layering washes. Students will also practice mixing muted tones and depicting natural textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre to the sky area.
step 03
Mix a light red-brown and apply a base wash to the large barn structure.
step 04
Paint the smaller barn with a light grey wash.
step 05
Add darker values to the barns to define shadows and details.
step 06
Paint the grassy area with a mix of greens and yellows, using varied brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details like windows, posts, and birds.
step 08
Refine the painting with final touches and adjustments to values.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · sap green · payne's gray

Mix burnt sienna with raw umber and a touch of payne's gray for the barn colors. Use yellow ochre and sap green for the grass, adjusting the ratio for highlights and shadows.

techniques