plate no. 9634

Haycutting

Natalia Goncharova, 1910

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresfieldhorsehayharvestlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly onto the canvas, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background (greens and browns) and then moving to the figures and hay.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the figures and add details like the faces and clothing.
step 04
Add the horse and cart in the background, simplifying their forms.
step 05
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture to the hay and the background foliage.
step 06
Mix slightly darker and lighter values of each color to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figures and the hay.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition or color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix different values of yellow ochre with white to create the hay. Use burnt umber and white for the figures' clothing and skin tones. Mix viridian green with burnt umber for the darker greens in the background.

techniques

·blocking in
·simplified forms
·expressive brushstrokes
·limited palette
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→overworking details
→muddying colors
→getting bogged down in realism
→not simplifying shapes enough

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·rags

Using a limited palette is key to capturing the style of this painting. Experiment with mixing different values of each color to create depth and dimension.

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