plate no. 5011

The Age

Vela Zanetti, 1990

oilMuralismgenre paintingfigurefarmerfieldskyhaylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and textures, and understanding atmospheric perspective in a landscape setting. Students will also learn to create depth using color and value.

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 placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the background fields.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the main figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hands and the pitchfork, paying attention to the texture and form.
step 06
Work on the details of the background figures and the haystacks.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and yellow for the fields and hay. Use blue and white to create a range of sky tones. Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, white, and small amounts of red and blue.

techniques