plate no. 3311

Wash Day

Grandma Moses, 1945

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)genre paintinghousesfigureslandscapetreesskylaundry

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing simplified forms and understanding how to create depth using size and placement. Students will learn to create a narrative scene with multiple figures and elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the houses, trees, and figures, focusing on their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main colors for the sky, fields, and buildings using flat, even tones.
step 03
Add details to the houses, such as windows, doors, and roof lines.
step 04
Paint the trees, using simple shapes to represent the foliage.
step 05
Add the figures, simplifying their forms and clothing.
step 06
Paint the laundry line and individual pieces of laundry.
step 07
Add final details, such as the fence, well, and other small elements.
step 08
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · sap green

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · black

Mix white with small amounts of umber and blue to create the sky. Use varying amounts of umber and green for the fields. Mix red and umber for the red building.

techniques