plate no. 6417

Peasant Woman in the Fields

pastel, chalkRealismsketch and studyfigurefieldskypeasanthay

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand value relationships and how to create form using shading and highlights. It will also develop skills in depicting textures using loose, expressive strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hay pile, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the figure and hay pile with charcoal or dark pastel.
step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 04
Use a blending stump or finger to soften some edges and create smoother transitions.
step 05
Add highlights to the figure, hay, and sky to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure's clothing and features.
step 07
Adjust the overall values to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
step 08
Add final touches to the texture of the hay and the sky.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix shades of gray by combining black and white in varying proportions. Add small amounts of raw umber or payne's gray to create warmer or cooler tones.

techniques