plate no. 6298

Die Ährenleserinnen

Eugène Burnand, 1900

oilRealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapefieldharvesthillssky

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, horizon line, and major landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and grays, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the distant hills with muted greens and browns, using lighter values for areas further away.
step 04
Paint the field with a base of yellow ochre and burnt sienna, then add variations with greens, oranges, and browns.
step 05
Define the figures with simple shapes and values, paying attention to the folds in their clothing.
step 06
Add details to the hay wagon and the figures, using smaller brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the foreground with more detailed brushwork, adding highlights and shadows to the grass.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the figures and hay.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · sap green · cadmium orange

Mix muted greens for the hills by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the golden field color by layering yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and small amounts of cadmium orange.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·landscape painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, losing the sense of distance.
→Making the figures too stiff or unnatural.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, disrupting the overall harmony.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes in the field, resulting in a flat, uninteresting surface.