plate no. 9108

Gleaners

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguresfieldskycloudsharvestlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in creating texture with brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, field, and figures with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin to develop the sky, layering different shades of blue and white to create the clouds.
step 04
Work on the field, using a variety of yellows, browns, and greens to create the texture of the wheat.
step 05
Add details to the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow on their clothing and faces.
step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, adding trees, bushes, and other elements.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments and refinements to the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber with white to create the tones of the field. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for the horizon. Mix alizarin crimson with burnt umber and white for the skin tones.

techniques