plate no. 0846
Haystacks Autumn
Jean-Francois Millet, 1873
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering textures with visible brushstrokes. It also offers practice in depicting a complex scene with many small elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the haystacks, sheep, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the dark and light areas of the clouds.
- step 03
Establish the base colors for the field, varying the greens and browns to create depth.
- step 04
Paint the haystacks, layering different shades of yellow, brown, and green to create texture.
- step 05
Add the sheep, using small brushstrokes to suggest their forms and woolly texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the buildings in the background, using a smaller brush.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · sap green · raw sienna
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark grays for the sky. Vary the tones of the field by mixing different proportions of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and sap green.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
- →Making the sheep too uniform and lacking individuality.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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