plate no. 3827

Moving Day on the Farm

Grandma Moses, 1951

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintingfarmfigureshouselandscapetreesanimals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplified form representation and layering of colors to create depth. It's a good exercise in observing and painting a complex scene with many elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the house, landscape, and major figures, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the sky and background hills with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Paint the house, barn, and other buildings using flat colors and simple shapes.
step 04
Add the trees, bushes, and other foliage using dabbing and stippling techniques.
step 05
Paint the figures with simple shapes and colors, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
step 06
Add details to the figures, such as faces, hands, and clothing patterns.
step 07
Paint the animals, such as horses and chickens, using similar techniques as the figures.
step 08
Add final details, such as shadows, highlights, and textures, to create depth and interest.

color palette

primary · sky blue · grass green · burnt umber · white

secondary · red · yellow · gray · black

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Browns can be achieved by mixing complementary colors like blue and orange.

techniques