plate no. 1228

Barns

A.Y. Jackson, 1926

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapebarnsnowlandscapeskycloudshills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and practice layering colors to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the barn, hills, and sky, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with diluted washes, starting with the sky and distant hills.
step 03
Layer in the darker tones of the barn and shadows in the snow.
step 04
Add highlights to the snow and barn to create dimension.
step 05
Refine the details of the barn structure and the texture of the snow.
step 06
Mix and apply the subtle color variations in the sky and clouds.
step 07
Add the flock of birds in the sky.
step 08
Review and adjust values and colors to achieve a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · violet

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue, umber, and ochre to create the cool tones of the snow and sky. Use umber and sienna for the barn, adjusting with white and blue for highlights and shadows.

techniques

·color mixing
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the composition.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a flat, uninteresting palette.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the snow and sky.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, leading to a lack of depth.