plate no. 1183
The red barrels
Giovanni Fattori, 1870
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: haystacks, barrels, figure, and landscape.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue-gray.
- step 03
Establish the horizon line and the general areas of the landscape with browns and greens.
- step 04
Paint the haystacks using warm yellows and browns, suggesting form with subtle value changes.
- step 05
Add the red barrels, paying attention to their cylindrical shape and the cast shadows.
- step 06
Paint the figure with simple shapes and muted colors.
- step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, adding texture and variation with short brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Creating flat, lifeless colors without subtle variations.
- →Ignoring the effects of atmospheric perspective and failing to create depth.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform and lacking in variety.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
A small canvas board or wood panel would also be appropriate, given the original medium.
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