plate no. 1590

New Road

Grant Wood, 1939

oilRegionalismlandscapelandscapehillstreesroadskyfarm

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in pointillism and color mixing to achieve subtle tonal variations. It also encourages careful observation of perspective and landscape elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road layout and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light, even wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the hills and trees using broad strokes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form in the hills and foliage.
step 05
Use small, individual brushstrokes (pointillism) to build up texture and detail.
step 06
Add details like the fence posts, building, and road sign.
step 07
Refine the colors and values, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · ultramarine blue

Achieve the earthy tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and white in varying proportions. Use small amounts of blue and green to create cooler shadows and foliage variations.

techniques

·pointillism
·dry brushing
·color layering
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations and creating a flat, unrealistic landscape.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of depth and perspective.