plate no. 9262

Gleaning

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfieldwomanwheatwindmillskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering figures in a landscape. It also provides practice in creating texture with brushstrokes to depict fields of wheat.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the windmill.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the overall perspective of the field.
step 03
Block in the sky with a thin wash of yellow and ochre.
step 04
Begin layering the field with varying shades of yellow, brown, and green, creating depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on her clothing and skin.
step 06
Add details to the wheat stalks, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Paint the windmill in the distance, using muted colors to suggest atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final details, such as the red poppies and the highlights on the wheat.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber and white to create the various shades of the field. Use sap green and burnt umber for the figure's clothing. Add small amounts of cadmium red for the poppies.

techniques