plate no. 2053
Joy Ride
Grandma Moses, 1953
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes and creating a sense of depth through size and placement of figures. It also provides practice in painting textures like snow and foliage using visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, trees, and road, focusing on overall composition.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient from darker to lighter tones.
- step 03
Paint the large areas of snow, using slightly different shades of white to create depth.
- step 04
Add the house and trees, focusing on their basic shapes and colors.
- step 05
Begin adding the figures, starting with the larger ones in the foreground.
- step 06
Paint the horse and sleigh, paying attention to the movement and form.
- step 07
Add details like the fence, windows, and smaller figures in the background.
- step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of light and shadow.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · black · red
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix shades of white with small amounts of blue, brown, or yellow for the snow. Use a combination of burnt umber and black for the darker tones of the trees and figures. Mix red with a touch of brown or black to create the darker reds in the sleigh.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·simplified forms
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Making the colors too saturated or bright.
- →Not varying the shades of white enough for the snow.
- →Overcomplicating the shapes of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylic paints are recommended for beginners due to their ease of use and quick drying time.
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