plate no. 5704

Corn Stacks

Algernon Talmage, 1908

oilImpressionismlandscapehaystacksfieldlandscapeskyhillsrural

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and learning to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also allows for practice in creating texture with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the haystacks, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and grey, blending the colors smoothly.
step 03
Establish the distant hills with muted greens and blues, using a slightly darker value than the sky.
step 04
Paint the field with a base layer of yellow ochre and burnt sienna, varying the tones to create depth.
step 05
Begin adding the haystacks, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually building up the highlights with lighter shades of yellow and brown.
step 06
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the hay, varying the direction and pressure of the strokes.
step 07
Add subtle details to the foreground, such as individual blades of grass and small shadows.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · sap green

Mix yellow ochre with burnt sienna and white for the haystacks. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and add a touch of raw umber to dull the color. Mix greens with yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber for the distant hills.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits