plate no. 7126
Study for 'The Cranberry Harvest, Island of Nantucket'
Eastman Johnson, 1879
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the hill and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, adding hints of yellow near the horizon.
- step 03
Establish the base color of the field with a mix of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white.
- step 04
Add darker values to the foreground to create depth, using burnt umber and raw sienna.
- step 05
Begin painting the figures with simple shapes, focusing on their gestures and poses.
- step 06
Add details to the hill and trees in the background, using darker greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the figures, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the field, sky, and figures to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · burnt umber · sap green
Mix various earth tones by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and burnt umber. Use white to lighten values and blue to create cooler tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·loose brushwork
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective, making the background appear too sharp.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#6 round brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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