plate no. 9451

July Hay

Thomas Hart Benton, 1942

tempera, oil, masoniteRegionalismgenre paintingfigureswheat fieldtreesflowerslandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to depict light and shadow on complex forms like trees and foliage. Students will also learn how to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the composition and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the texture of the wheat field, trees, and foliage.
step 04
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values in the scene.
step 05
Add details to the figures, flowers, and other elements to bring the painting to life.
step 06
Refine the edges and transitions between different areas of color.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · sap green

Achieve the golden hues of the wheat field by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and a touch of cadmium red. Create the greens for the foliage by mixing ultramarine blue with yellow ochre and sap green. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless image.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying attention to the light source and how it affects the colors and values.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red, sap green)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags