plate no. 1227

Autumn Fields, Knowlton

Prudence Heward, 1941

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapefieldstreesskyhouseautumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the sky, fields, and trees, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build depth and create variations in the fields and foliage.
step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture and definition to the trees and foreground.
step 05
Add details to the house and other elements, focusing on capturing their simplified forms.
step 06
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the dominant field colors. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens from blue and yellow. Vary the intensity of colors by adding white or complementary colors.

techniques

·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color mixing
·simplification

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and failing to capture the overall mood.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them to create subtle variations.
→Not establishing a clear focal point.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, viridian green, titanium white)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags