plate no. 9475
Farm Family
William H. Johnson, 1940
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette effectively. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, focusing on the placement of the figures, house, and landscape elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background sky and ground.
- step 03
Add the figures, using simplified shapes and flat colors for their clothing and skin tones.
- step 04
Paint the house, fence, and other details, paying attention to the geometric shapes and patterns.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and clothing patterns.
- step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest in the painting.
- step 07
Refine the colors and shapes as needed to achieve the desired effect.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow · brown · white · black
secondary · red · purple · blue · green
Mix browns from primary colors. Use white to lighten colors for highlights and create tints. Mix greens for the fields using blues and yellows.
techniques
- ·flat color application
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·simplification of shapes
- ·color blocking
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →overcomplicating the composition
- →using too many colors
- →blending colors too much
- →losing the simplicity of the original style
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas 16x20
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
- ·water
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·retarder medium
Acrylic paints are recommended for their quick drying time and ease of use. Choose a canvas size that is comfortable for you to work with.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
