plate no. 2385

Weighing Cotton

Thomas Hart Benton, 1939

oilRegionalismgenre paintingfiguresfieldcottontruckskybuildings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures and lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, truck, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic shapes of the sky and field.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, field, and buildings, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures, including their clothing and facial features.
step 05
Develop the textures of the cotton, truck, and field using varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the cotton plants and the distant buildings.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of thinned color to create subtle variations in tone and depth.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Incorrect proportions of figures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits