plate no. 2971
Backyard
Robert Falk, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using color to create depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in layering brushstrokes to build texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the house, trees, and fence, focusing on their relative positions and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, leaving space for the trees.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses for the trees, using darker greens and blues for shadows and lighter greens for highlights.
- step 04
Paint the house with its dominant orange/red hue, adding darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for areas catching the light.
- step 05
Add the fence, using a muted blue-gray color.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees, adding more variation in color and texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add details to the house, such as windows and door frames, using white and gray.
- step 08
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
color palette
primary · cerulean blue · sap green · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre
Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors (e.g., orange to blue, red to green).
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified, expressive quality.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not observing the subtle color variations in the trees and house.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (#4, #6, #8)
- ·flat brushes (#6, #8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing and create a harmonious painting. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a mid-tone base.
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