plate no. 6794

The Squirrel Hunter

Horace Pippin, 1940

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintingtreesfigureforestautumnfoliagehunter

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms. It also encourages an understanding of naive art and its unique perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the dark forest floor, and the foliage.
step 03
Add details to the trees, using short, choppy brushstrokes to represent leaves.
step 04
Paint the figure, simplifying the shapes and using flat colors.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the fence, birds, and fallen leaves.
step 07
Pay attention to the texture created by the brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark greens and browns of the forest floor. Use yellow ochre and white for the lighter foliage. Add cadmium red to create the figure's hat and shoes.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·color blocking
·scumbling
·flat color application

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the style.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to simplify the forms and shapes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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