plate no. 5905

Old Barn (formerly back of Dulwich Gallery)

oilNeo-Romanticismlandscapebarntreeslandscapebuildingfoliagesky

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering and tonal variations. Students will also learn how to suggest detail rather than rendering every element precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the barn, trees, and horizon line with light pencil strokes.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin wash of yellow and ochre, blending to create a soft gradient.
step 03
Block in the large masses of the trees and foliage with varying shades of green and brown.
step 04
Paint the barn structure, focusing on the darker tones and shadows to define its form.
step 05
Add details to the roof, using reds and browns to create texture and variation.
step 06
Develop the foreground with earth tones, suggesting grass and vegetation with loose brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the barn and surrounding elements, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details in the foreground and subtle variations in the sky.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue, adjust with white for lighter tones. Achieve the roof color by mixing cadmium red and burnt umber.

techniques