plate no. 4200

Haying

Grant Wood, 1939

oil, canvasRegionalismlandscapefieldsfarmbuildingshillscropslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through linear perspective and value changes, as well as practicing repetitive brushstrokes to build texture.

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 receding lines of the fields and the placement of the buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the vanishing point(s).
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: sky, fields, buildings.
step 04
Begin adding the rows of hay, using short, repetitive brushstrokes. Vary the color and value slightly in each row to create depth.
step 05
Develop the details of the buildings, including the windmill and the barn.
step 06
Add the small tree and the jug in the foreground.
step 07
Refine the values and colors throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and raw umber with white to create the different tones of the fields. Use small amounts of red and blue to create muted greens and browns.

techniques