plate no. 8326
Study
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create texture and learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in depicting depth using atmospheric perspective and relative scale.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the haystack, fence, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue-gray wash.
- step 03
Establish the main color masses for the haystack, field, and foreground grass.
- step 04
Add darker values to the base of the haystack and shadows in the grass.
- step 05
Define the fence posts and crossbeams with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details like the ladder, wagon, and small white flowers in the grass.
- step 07
Refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the light source.
- step 08
Add final highlights to the haystack and foreground to create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light
Mix yellow ochre and raw umber for the haystack, adding white for highlights. Use sap green and cadmium yellow for the grass, darkening with raw umber. Create a muted blue-gray for the sky by mixing white, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unnatural.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Not simplifying the complex shapes of the haystack.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 8)
- ·flat brush (size 4)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·mineral spirits or water (for cleaning)
optional
- ·easel
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·rags
A slightly textured canvas will help with the dry brush technique. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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