plate no. 3963

Berry Picker, Percé

Robert Harris, 1910

oilImpressionismportraitfigurelandscapefieldmountainsskyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for natural light and shadow, as well as capturing the essence of a figure within a landscape using loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, the horizon line, and the mountain.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, mountain, field, and the figure's clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the colors in the field, adding variations of green and yellow to suggest grass and wildflowers.
step 04
Develop the form of the mountain using darker blues and greens for shadows and lighter greens for highlights.
step 05
Refine the figure, paying attention to the folds and shadows in the clothing.
step 06
Add details such as the hat, bucket, and facial features, keeping the brushstrokes loose and impressionistic.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights on the figure and subtle details in the field.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the purplish hues of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with alizarin crimson and white. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques