plate no. 1562
Plowing
Grant Wood, 1936
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand aerial perspective and how to depict rolling landscapes with subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in creating texture through layering and directional brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and horizon line, paying attention to the perspective of the fields.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of raw umber or burnt sienna.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the fields, using variations of yellow ochre, raw umber, and burnt sienna.
- step 04
Add details to the farm buildings and trees in the distance, keeping them simple and muted.
- step 05
Begin layering the textures of the fields, using short, directional brushstrokes to indicate the furrows and crops.
- step 06
Gradually build up the values, adding darker shadows and lighter highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the fence and other elements in the foreground.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · titanium white · ivory black
Mix various shades of browns and yellows by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and burnt sienna. Use white to lighten the colors and black to darken them. Pay attention to subtle shifts in color temperature to create depth.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·aerial perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
- →Creating colors that are too saturated or bright.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color that create depth.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·acrylic or oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ivory black)
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (depending on the medium)
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Using a toned canvas can help to establish the overall color scheme more quickly. Consider using a warm-toned ground, such as raw umber or burnt sienna.
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