plate no. 2501
Returning from the Fields
Jules Breton, 1871
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering textures like wheat and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky and background fields with broad, blended strokes.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to proportions and gestures.
- step 04
Begin to define the details of the clothing, hair, and facial features.
- step 05
Add the wheat field in the foreground, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Introduce the flowers in the field, varying their colors and sizes.
- step 07
Refine the details of the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the colors too bright and saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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