plate no. 7528

Les Javelles

Felix Vallotton, 1915

oil, canvasMagic Realismlandscapefieldhaystacksskytreesfarm toolsbasket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the haystacks and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray-purple mix, blending it softly.
step 03
Establish the dark masses of the trees in the background using a dark green-black mix.
step 04
Lay in the base color for the field using a mix of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
step 05
Begin building up the haystacks, layering different shades of yellow, brown, and ochre to create form and texture.
step 06
Add details to the field with short, broken brushstrokes of green, yellow, and brown.
step 07
Paint the farm tools and basket, paying attention to their shapes and shadows.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Achieve the field color by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of white. Darken the trees with raw umber and ultramarine blue. Create the sky with white, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the field, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the haystacks and the background.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them, leading to a lack of harmony.
→Not paying attention to the perspective of the field.