plate no. 2113

Hop-Picking No.1

Laura Knight, 1946

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigureschildrenlandscapefoliagefencehop field

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape setting and capturing the impressionistic style through loose brushwork and color mixing. Students will also learn to create depth and atmosphere using color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and the fence structure, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background foliage with broad strokes of green and brown, varying the hues to create depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, using small brushstrokes to define features.
step 05
Develop the foliage around the figures, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns to create texture and interest.
step 06
Refine the fence structure, adding details such as the texture of the wood and the shadows cast by the sunlight.
step 07
Add final touches to the figures, such as highlights on the clothing and details in the hair.
step 08
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by blending sap green, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by combining titanium white, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue for shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (sap green, raw umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife