plate no. 2365

Breton women scutching flax: Labour

oilCloisonnismgenre paintingwomenfieldhaystackstoolslaborrural

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and stylized composition. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a non-realistic manner.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figures, haystacks, table, and ground.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the yellow/ochre for the field and haystacks, the blue for the sky, and the dark colors for the figures' clothing.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the figures, paying attention to the simplified forms and outlines.
step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, keeping the style consistent with the rest of the painting.
step 05
Paint the table and the flax being processed, focusing on the geometric shapes.
step 06
Add the jar and the text on it.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix yellow ochre with white for highlights in the haystacks and flax. Use Prussian blue and black to create the dark tones in the figures' clothing. Add a touch of burnt sienna to the yellow ochre to warm it up.

techniques

·flat color blocking
·simplified forms
·outlining
·color mixing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the forms and adding too much detail.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
→Failing to capture the stylized and simplified nature of the painting.
→Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (#2, #6)
·Flat brushes (#4, #8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil

optional

·Retarder medium
·Varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate flat color application. Acrylics are beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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