plate no. 4395
Harvest scene with gleaners
Léon Augustin Lhermitte, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the haystacks, figures, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the sky and distant landscape.
- step 03
Layer in the darker tones of the haystacks and foreground, building up texture with short brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, paying attention to their forms and clothing.
- step 05
Refine the colors and values, adjusting the overall balance of the painting.
- step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Achieve earth tones by mixing burnt umber and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and create atmospheric perspective.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas to create texture. Consider using a limited palette to achieve color harmony.
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