plate no. 8610
Dairy hour
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the tree, landscape, and animals.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, foliage, and ground using diluted washes.
- step 03
Establish the dark values of the tree trunk and shadows.
- step 04
Add layers of color to the foliage, building up texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Define the shapes of the animals and figures with simple, expressive strokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the barn and other structures.
- step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 08
Review and adjust values and colors to achieve overall harmony.
color palette
primary · sap green · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue. Create browns by mixing burnt umber with small amounts of red or yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the overall color harmony of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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