plate no. 7815

Farmhouse with bare oaks

Gregoire Boonzaier, 1942

oilImpressionismlandscapefarmhousetreesskylandscapefoliagebuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the farmhouse, trees, and horizon line using light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, allowing some of the canvas to show through.
step 03
Establish the main masses of the trees with a mix of browns, greens, and grays, focusing on the overall shapes.
step 04
Paint the farmhouse with off-white, paying attention to the shadows and highlights to define its form.
step 05
Add details to the trees, such as branches and textures, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the foreground with greens and browns, suggesting grass and foliage.
step 07
Add final touches, such as highlights on the farmhouse and details in the trees, to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Consider adding the chickens in the foreground as a final detail.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · cadmium yellow

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber to achieve the off-white of the farmhouse. Use ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create various shades of green for the foliage.

techniques