plate no. 8613

The Poultry Yard

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)cityscapehousestreesskyfigurespoultryfence

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering techniques for creating depth and learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It's also a good exercise in observing and representing subtle color variations in natural light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition lightly on the canvas, paying attention to the placement of the houses, trees, and figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of grey and white, blending softly to create the cloud effect.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the houses, using a light beige for the walls and a muted red for the roofs.
step 04
Paint the trees, starting with the trunks and branches, then adding the foliage with small, individual brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the fence and the background trees, using darker greens and browns to create depth.
step 06
Paint the figures and poultry, simplifying their forms and focusing on their basic shapes.
step 07
Refine the details, such as the windows, shutters, and the texture of the grass.
step 08
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and enhance the overall sense of light.

color palette

primary · grey · beige · red · green

secondary · brown · white · black

Mix various shades of grey by combining white, black, and a touch of blue. Achieve the muted red for the roofs by mixing red with burnt umber and a touch of white. Create the greens for the trees by mixing blue, yellow, and brown.

techniques