plate no. 2014

Sowing

oilRealismgenre paintingfieldskycloudsfigureplowed landwindmill

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through subtle value changes. They will also practice rendering figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the figure and windmill.
step 02
Block in the sky with broad strokes, establishing the overall value and color of the clouds.
step 03
Establish the base color of the field, using a mix of browns and greens.
step 04
Add details to the plowed land, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Paint the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the clothing.
step 06
Add the windmill and other distant details, using a lighter touch.
step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, blending and layering as needed.
step 08
Add final details, such as highlights on the figure and texture in the foreground.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · sap green · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the base color of the field. Add ultramarine blue to darken the shadows. Use white to lighten the sky and create highlights.

techniques