plate no. 4123
Near Sundown
Grant Wood, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create depth using value and how to simplify complex shapes into basic forms. It will also teach them how to create a sense of rhythm and repetition in a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the hills and trees, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the fields.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the distant hills.
- step 04
Add the darker values to the foreground hills and trees to create depth.
- step 05
Begin to define the shapes of the trees, using a stippling or dabbing technique.
- step 06
Add highlights to the trees and hills to create a sense of light and shadow.
- step 07
Paint the cows in the distance, keeping them simple and small.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · sap green · titanium white
Mix burnt umber and raw sienna for the earth tones. Add yellow ochre and white for highlights. Use sap green sparingly for subtle variations in the trees.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·stippling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Creating too much contrast and making the painting look harsh.
- →Not establishing a clear sense of depth and perspective.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·sap green oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a limited palette to capture the muted tones of the original. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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