plate no. 1163

The Mowers (when Hearts Beat as One)

Granville Redmond, 1907

oilTonalismlandscapefieldtreesfiguresskylandscapeharvest

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and harmonious landscape. Students will also learn to suggest detail with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: horizon line, tree masses, and the figures.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the sky with a thin wash of diluted color.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the trees and field with darker values, paying attention to the tonal variations.
step 04
Begin adding texture to the field with short, directional brushstrokes to suggest the harvested crop.
step 05
Refine the shapes of the trees, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Paint the figures with simple shapes and minimal detail, focusing on their placement within the landscape.
step 07
Add subtle details to the sky, such as soft clouds or variations in tone.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall values and color harmony to create a unified and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue

Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing yellow ochre and burnt umber with varying amounts of white. Use small amounts of blue and green to create cooler shadows and variations in the foliage.

techniques