plate no. 9093

Stone City, Iowa

Grant Wood, 1930

oil, woodRegionalismlandscapelandscapehillsfarmlandbuildingstreesriver

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and form, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance. It will also help to practice painting simplified shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the hills, fields, and trees using earth tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the shapes and contours of the hills and trees.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, bridge, and windmill, paying attention to their geometric forms.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground, including the rows of crops.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, and viridian green. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red to browns for warmth.

techniques