plate no. 5650

Packing Cherries in Provence, France

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1923

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbuildingcherriestreesshadowsrural scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict figures in a landscape with dappled light and shadow, as well as how to create the illusion of texture with brushstrokes.

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 placement of the figures and the building.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds of their clothing and the anatomy of their hands.
step 05
Add the cherries, using small, deliberate brushstrokes to create the impression of a multitude of individual fruits.
step 06
Refine the details of the building, adding texture to the walls and defining the shapes of the windows and doors.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the building and ground. Use alizarin crimson and a touch of ultramarine blue for the cherries. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create highlights.

techniques