plate no. 7229

Gathering Oranges

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1929

oilImpressionismgenre paintingtreesorangesfiguredonkeybuildingshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the effects of light and shadow on different surfaces. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the trees, building, figure, and donkey.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall tones of the sky, building, and ground.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the trees, using greens, yellows, and browns to create the foliage and oranges.
step 04
Develop the details of the building, paying attention to the texture of the walls and the placement of windows.
step 05
Add details to the figure and donkey, using subtle variations in color and value to create form.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights throughout the painting, adding depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the small flowers and the texture of the ground.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create the orange hues by mixing cadmium yellow with alizarin crimson. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques