plate no. 7698

Women Carrying Wood

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapemountainstreeshousesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and form. It also provides an opportunity to explore color mixing and creating a sense of depth through color temperature.

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 mountains, figures, house, and trees using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the sky, water, and ground using thinned paint.
step 03
Define the shapes of the mountains and trees with darker values and more saturated colors.
step 04
Add details to the figures, paying attention to the folds in their clothing and the shapes of the wood they are carrying.
step 05
Paint the house, focusing on the contrast between the white walls and the dark roof.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and add any finishing touches.
step 08
Let it dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · titanium white · burnt umber

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Create muted tones by adding a touch of burnt umber to your colors. Vary the blues by adding white or a touch of crimson.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and creating a jarring effect.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Not simplifying the shapes enough and getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, viridian green, titanium white, burnt umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife