plate no. 1319

Farmyard

Vilmos Aba-Novak, 1936

tempera, woodExpressionismlandscapetreesbuildingcowslandscapefarmfence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in shapes with bold brushstrokes and understanding how to use color temperature to create depth and form. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building, trees, and cows, focusing on composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, trees, building, and ground using simplified shapes.
step 03
Start with the darkest values, gradually adding lighter tones to build form.
step 04
Define the shapes of the trees and foliage with visible brushstrokes, using a mix of greens and blues.
step 05
Add details to the building, such as the roof and windows, using contrasting colors.
step 06
Refine the shapes and colors of the cows, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add the fence and other details in the foreground, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.