plate no. 6653
Scarecrow
Candido Portinari, 1959
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and stylized landscape. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the scarecrow and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, field, and scarecrow using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin adding texture to the field with short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 04
Develop the form of the scarecrow by layering different colors and values in a patchwork style.
- step 05
Add details to the scarecrow's face and clothing, focusing on the expressive brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add the sun and any final details.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · cerulean blue · raw sienna
Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the field. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky. Mix red and blue for the darker tones in the scarecrow's clothing.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and creating a cluttered composition.
- →Ignoring the directional brushstrokes and creating a flat image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (#2, #6, #10)
- ·Flat brushes (#4, #8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to maintain color harmony.
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