plate no. 2703
Haymaking
Julien Dupré, 1905
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape and creating atmospheric perspective using a limited palette. It's also a good exercise in capturing texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: figures, haystacks, and horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral gray.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the large areas of the figures and haystacks, focusing on accurate proportions and shapes.
- step 04
Develop the background with soft, blended tones to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, such as clothing folds and facial features.
- step 06
Build up the texture of the haystacks with short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the values and edges throughout the painting, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber
Achieve the various shades of gray by mixing ivory black and titanium white in different ratios. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the grays.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·dry brush texture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh edges that flatten the image.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Not capturing the texture of the hay.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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