plate no. 1897

The Cabbage Field

Charles Courtney Curran, 1914

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigurefieldskycloudshorsescabbage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. It will also provide practice in painting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the overall tone of the field.
step 03
Establish the horizon line and the general placement of the figures and horses.
step 04
Develop the values in the sky, creating depth and atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Work on the cabbage field, suggesting the texture and form of the cabbages with loose brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the figures, paying attention to the folds of the dress and the details of the faces.
step 07
Add details to the horses and the distant figures, keeping them soft and muted.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix muted greens for the cabbage field by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the atmospheric sky by layering diluted washes of ultramarine blue, white, and a hint of alizarin crimson.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the field, losing the sense of atmosphere.
→Creating harsh lines and edges, making the painting look stiff.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat image.
→Using colors that are too saturated, overpowering the subtle tones of the painting.