plate no. 8044

Our Red Cottage, Gloucester

John French Sloan, 1916

oil, canvasNew Realismlandscapehousetreesbushesskyarchitecturelandscape

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good exercise in capturing form with visible brushstrokes and understanding how light and shadow define shapes. Students can practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using color temperature to create depth.

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 house and surrounding foliage, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and then the house and foliage.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow patterns on the house and foliage.
step 04
Develop the details of the house, such as windows and trim, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Add texture to the foliage with broken brushstrokes and varying shades of green.
step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Sign your name.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green · brown

secondary · white · yellow

Mix various shades of red by adding white, brown, or blue. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and vary the shades with brown or white. Achieve the sky color by mixing blue with white and a touch of red.

techniques