plate no. 0163

Gathering Plums

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1901

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapetreesbasketsfruitfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape setting and understanding the effects of light and shadow on form. It also provides practice in rendering textures like foliage and woven baskets.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and baskets.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the figures, baskets, and foliage.
step 04
Develop the forms of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and drapery.
step 05
Add details to the baskets, rendering the woven texture.
step 06
Refine the foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · viridian

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix greens by combining viridian with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow light. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create warm browns for the baskets and shadows. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques