plate no. 2696
Wheat
Thomas Hart Benton, 1967
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to depict repetitive patterns with subtle variations. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using value and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a neutral ground.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the wheat stalks and heads.
- step 03
Block in the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
- step 04
Begin layering the wheat stalks with a base of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
- step 05
Add highlights to the wheat heads using lighter yellows and whites, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 06
Paint the lower section with green shoots, using a mix of greens and browns.
- step 07
Refine the details of the wheat heads and stalks, adding individual grains and shadows.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow
Achieve the golden hues of the wheat by mixing yellow ochre with burnt sienna and small amounts of white for highlights. Use raw umber and black to create the dark background and shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·value control
common pitfalls
- →Creating a flat, uniform texture instead of varying the brushstrokes and colors.
- →Making the wheat stalks too symmetrical and uniform.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium yellow)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Using a medium-grit canvas will help to create a more textured surface. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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