plate no. 7631
Cabin In The Cotton III
Horace Pippin, 1944
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the cabin, figures, and cotton field.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, cotton, grass, and cabin.
- step 03
Add the gradient in the sky, blending from blue to orange/red.
- step 04
Begin defining the cabin details, including the logs and roof.
- step 05
Paint the figures, focusing on simple shapes and colors.
- step 06
Add details to the cotton field, using small dabs of white paint.
- step 07
Refine the grass texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final details like the fence, wagon wheel, and ducks.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · sap green
Mix various shades of green for the grass by combining blue, yellow, and black. Create the sky gradient by blending blue, red, and white. Use white with small amounts of black and brown to create the cotton.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color blending
- ·scumbling
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →overworking details
- →inaccurate proportions of the cabin
- →muddying colors by over-mixing
- →uneven sky gradient
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time and ease of use. Adjust brush sizes as needed for detail work.
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