plate no. 0709

Dartmoor Farm

Harry Phelan Gibb, 1931

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapebuildingslandscapetreeshillsfarmcottages

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, hills, and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background hills and sky.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the trees and buildings.
step 04
Layer in the mid-tones, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as the windows, doors, and thatched roofs.
step 06
Refine the shapes of the trees and add highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add final details and adjust the values to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, and adjust the hue with small amounts of cadmium red. Use burnt umber and white for the thatched roofs, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques