plate no. 4306

COVER FOR THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, SEPTEMBER 26, 1931

Alan Stephens Foster, 1931

oilRegionalismillustrationboywagonfencechildrenbasketred and white checkered blanket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures like woven basket and fabric, as well as depicting figures in perspective and capturing a narrative scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the boy, wagon, fence, and background figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a light wash of greens and blues for the grass and sky.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the boy, wagon, and fence, using simplified color values.
step 04
Begin adding details to the wagon, including the basket weave and the red and white checkered blanket.
step 05
Refine the boy's figure, paying attention to the folds in his clothing and the details of his face and hair.
step 06
Add the background figures, simplifying their forms and colors to create a sense of distance.
step 07
Add details to the fence and the surrounding environment, such as the shadows and highlights.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and visually appealing image.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · sap green

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of other colors. Achieve the green hues by mixing sap green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue.

techniques