plate no. 8290

Haymaking

Natalia Goncharova, 1910

oilExpressionismgenre paintinglandscapefigurestreesskyfielddog

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering brushstrokes to create texture and using color to define form rather than precise lines. It also encourages simplification of complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the major elements (trees, figures, field).
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, capturing the cloud shapes.
step 03
Establish the basic color masses for the field (yellow-green) and trees (various greens).
step 04
Add darker greens and blues to the trees to create depth and shadow.
step 05
Paint the figures with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on their general form.
step 06
Add the details of the tree branches and the pond.
step 07
Refine the brushwork and color variations in the trees and field.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Green · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Sienna · Alizarin Crimson · Sap Green

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix browns and oranges with red, yellow, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Layering
·Color Mixing
·Simplified Forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushwork.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to simplify the forms and getting bogged down in realism.
→Not establishing a clear value structure.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Green, Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags