plate no. 4445

The ripe cornfield

Gustave de Smet, 1929

oilExpressionismlandscapelandscapebuildingsfieldstreesskyvillage

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and expressive landscape. Students will also learn to create texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and horizon line using light pencil strokes.
step 02
Block in the sky with a muted gray-brown color, blending slightly to create soft clouds.
step 03
Paint the distant hills with a darker shade of green-brown, establishing the background.
step 04
Apply the base colors for the buildings: ochre for the walls, red for the roofs, and dark brown for the shed.
step 05
Paint the trees with simple rounded shapes using a mix of green and brown.
step 06
Fill in the foreground field with broad strokes of yellow ochre, adding some curved lines to suggest rows of crops.
step 07
Add details like windows, chimneys, and tree trunks using darker shades of the base colors.
step 08
Refine the brushstrokes and add highlights to create texture and depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix the sky color by combining white, umber, and a touch of ochre. Create the greens by mixing yellow ochre and viridian green. Mute colors by adding a touch of complementary color.

techniques