plate no. 6965

Field of Corn

Louis Valtat, 1917

oil, canvasFauvismlandscapefieldtreesskylandscapecornflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with visible brushstrokes and understanding how to create depth using color temperature and size variations. It's a good exercise in capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into foreground, middle ground, and sky.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Start layering thicker paint with visible brushstrokes, focusing on the direction of the corn stalks and the shapes of the trees.
step 04
Mix and apply variations of orange, yellow, and brown for the cornfield, using short, broken strokes.
step 05
Add touches of green and purple to the foreground and shadows to create depth and interest.
step 06
Develop the sky with soft, blended strokes of yellow, pink, and gray.
step 07
Add details to the foreground flowers and foliage, using small dabs of color.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to color, value, and composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the various shades of orange by mixing burnt sienna with yellow ochre and white. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create purples for shadows. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine.

techniques