plate no. 6665

Packing Stocks

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1920

oilImpressionismgenre paintingbuildingfigureflowersgardenstonetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting natural light and shadow, as well as creating texture with brushstrokes. It also provides practice in painting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the building, the stone structure, the figure, and the tree.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the building, using a mix of warm and cool grays to suggest sunlight and shadow.
step 03
Paint the stone structure, focusing on capturing the texture and variations in color with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Block in the figure with a simple, light color, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the pose.
step 05
Add the foliage and grass, using a variety of greens and yellows to create depth and texture.
step 06
Paint the flowers, using small dabs of color to represent the individual blooms.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure, adding shadows and highlights to create form.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray for the building by combining white, umber, and a touch of blue or crimson. Achieve the greens by mixing yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can flatten the painting.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the focal point.
→Not paying attention to the light source, which can result in inconsistent shadows.
→Mixing muddy colors by over-blending.