plate no. 8541

Catching the Thanksgiving Turkey

Grandma Moses, 1943

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintingwintersnowfarmturkeysfigureslandscape

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective, and painting simplified figures in action.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, buildings, hills, and major figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash, adding darker grays for the clouds.
step 03
Paint the distant hills with muted blues and purples to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Add the base color for the snow-covered ground, using a mix of white and a touch of blue or gray.
step 05
Paint the buildings with their basic shapes and colors, adding shadows to indicate the snow cover.
step 06
Add the trees, using thin branches and a dry brush technique for texture.
step 07
Paint the figures and turkeys, simplifying their forms and focusing on their actions.
step 08
Add the falling snow with small white dots, varying the size and density for a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · black

Mix white with small amounts of blue and umber for the snow. Use red and umber for the figures' clothing. Mix blue and black for the darker areas of the sky.

techniques