plate no. 8690

Jane Reed and Dora Hunt

Clarence Holbrook Carter, 1941

oilMagic Realismgenre paintingfiguresrailroad trackslandscapeskybasketmoon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will develop skills in perspective, particularly with the converging lines of the railroad tracks, and in rendering figures with subtle tonal variations to suggest form. Students will also practice creating atmospheric perspective in the background 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, paying close attention to the perspective of the railroad tracks and the placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, landscape, and figures with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the figures, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Develop the details of the railroad tracks, including the texture of the gravel and the metallic sheen of the rails.
step 05
Refine the background landscape, using lighter values and softer edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add details to the figures, such as the folds in their clothing and the texture of the basket.
step 07
Paint the moon and adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of raw umber, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna to create the subtle tonal variations in the figures' clothing. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the muted tones of the sky and distant landscape.

techniques