plate no. 3065

The quarry

Hans Heysen, 1922

oilRealismlandscapequarrylandscapetreesskymachineryfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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: the quarry face, the hill, and the machinery.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the entire paper as a base tone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of blues and grays for the sky, allowing some white of the paper to show through for clouds.
step 04
Using a slightly darker mix of raw sienna, burnt umber, and a touch of blue, begin defining the shadows and rock formations in the quarry face.
step 05
Add details to the machinery using a fine brush and a mix of neutral grays and browns.
step 06
Paint the trees on the hilltop with a mix of greens and browns, using broken brushstrokes to suggest foliage.
step 07
Add small figures to the scene using simple shapes and muted colors.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights with a dry brush technique using lighter tones.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · payne's gray · titanium white

Mixes of raw sienna and burnt umber create the earthy tones of the quarry. Add ultramarine blue to these mixes to create shadows and cooler tones. Use white sparingly to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques