plate no. 5662
Haymaking
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in capturing light and atmosphere with loose brushstrokes. Recreating it will help students develop skills in color mixing and creating depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the haystacks, figure, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and grays, using loose, horizontal brushstrokes.
- step 03
Establish the base colors of the field, using a mix of yellows, greens, and browns.
- step 04
Add the haystacks, building up layers of color to create form and texture.
- step 05
Paint the figure, simplifying the details and focusing on the overall shape and value.
- step 06
Add details to the background trees and distant structures.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · raw sienna
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the golden tones of the hay. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of burnt umber for grayness. Mix sap green with yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the greens of the field.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·alla prima
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Making the figure too detailed and distracting from the overall scene.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, sap green, raw sienna)
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Pre-tinting the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber can help create a warm undertone.
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