plate no. 2059
Farm with shadoof
Janos Tornyai, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides a good exercise in capturing the overall mood of a scene with a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, building, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of light blue and white.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of color for the field, trees, and building using broad strokes.
- step 04
Add darker values to the trees and building to create form and shadow.
- step 05
Layer lighter greens and yellows onto the field to suggest highlights and variations in the grass.
- step 06
Define the details of the building and shadoof, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to the trees and foliage.
- step 08
Refine the foreground with subtle color variations and textures.
color palette
primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · cerulean blue
Mix greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows. Create the sky by mixing cerulean blue with white, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the field and trees.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Thin the oil paints with a small amount of linseed oil or odorless mineral spirits to improve flow.
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