plate no. 5092

Arts of the West

Thomas Hart Benton, 1932

tempera, boardRegionalismgenre paintingfigurestownhorsesmusicdancingcard game

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating a sense of depth through overlapping forms and atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in rendering different textures and materials.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the main groups of figures and the buildings.
step 02
Refine the sketch, adding details to the figures and architectural elements.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Develop the values within each color area, creating a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Add details to the figures, including facial features, clothing, and hands.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings and other architectural elements.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, color, and value to achieve a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red or yellow to warm up the grays.

techniques