plate no. 7252
The Toll House
Henri Rousseau, 1890
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and learn to simplify complex shapes into basic forms. It's also a good exercise in understanding atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the buildings, trees, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light gray-blue, blending smoothly.
- step 03
Establish the dark greens of the trees and foliage, varying the shades slightly.
- step 04
Paint the buildings and structures in the background, using lighter tones to suggest distance.
- step 05
Add the figures and gates in the foreground, focusing on their simplified forms.
- step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details such as the lampposts and any small highlights.
color palette
primary · sap green · gray · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white
Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre or raw umber. Create grays by mixing ivory black and titanium white, adjusting the ratio for different values. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the browns.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplification of forms
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the details
- →Using too much detail in the background
- →Not creating enough depth in the colors
- →Ignoring the simplified style of the artist
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
- ·odorless mineral spirits
A smooth canvas is recommended to achieve the smooth blending seen in the original painting. Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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