plate no. 4638

Haystacks on the Newburyport Marshes

oil, canvasLuminismlandscapeskywatergrasshaystackslandscapesunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth and texture in the landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of key elements like the haystacks and river.
step 02
Establish the sky gradient with light washes of color, blending from a warm orange at the horizon to a cooler tone above.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape and haystacks with muted greens and browns, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Begin layering details in the foreground, adding texture to the grass and reflections in the water.
step 05
Refine the details of the haystacks, using small brushstrokes to create the texture of the hay.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the grass and water to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the small figure in the boat, keeping it simple and in proportion to the overall scene.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the sunset colors by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and alizarin crimson. Muted greens are created by mixing ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and raw umber. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·wet-on-dry layering
·color blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground before establishing the background.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a less realistic and atmospheric effect.
→Failing to create a smooth gradient in the sky.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the grass and water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber)
·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·flat brush (#8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife