Step-by-step painting guide

Hay Bales

A step-by-step painting guide by Richard Robinson

Creating movement with bold brushwork and broken colour. What a lot of paintings lack is movement. Find out how to use bold impressionistic brushwork combined with shimmering broken colour to produce movement in your paintings. In this project we only use two brushes and six colours – nice and simple. Enjoy!

This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.

See the full lesson
"Hay Bales" 11.5 x 13" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.
"Hay Bales" 11.5 x 13" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.

Step 15Color Variation and Hay Bales

Why are the roofs in the painting different colors?

The roofs are different colors to show color variation. One roof is orange, the next is more red, and the top one is orange again but a little yellower. This variation adds interest and realism to the painting. For more insights on color variation, you can explore the lesson further at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What color is used for the shadow in the distant field?

A dark ochery brown is used to create a soft shadow in the distant field. This helps to define the edges of the rock wall sharply and adds depth to the painting. To learn more about using shadows effectively, visit the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How are the individual rocks in the rock wall painted?

The individual rocks in the rock wall are painted by creating sharp edges and painting little chinks into the wall. This technique helps to denote the individual rocks and adds texture to the painting. For more detailed techniques on painting textures, check out the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What color is used to paint the light on the hay bales?

A very light yellow color is used to block in the light on the front of the hay bales. This helps to capture the light and create a sense of roundedness. To explore more about painting light and form, visit the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How does the time of day affect the colors in the painting?

The colors in the painting are warmer at the end of the day, as seen in the top photo on the left. This warmth is contrasted with the cooler colors in the photo underneath it. The artist uses both resources to capture the desired color and shadow patterns. For more on how lighting affects color, see the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

Why is yellow ochre added to the top of the hay bale?

Yellow ochre is added to the top of the hay bale to create a sense of roundedness. This addition helps to convey that the hay bales are not flat planes but have volume and form. To learn more about creating form in your paintings, visit https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

Summary & key takeaways

As I reflect on our journey through painting the Hay Bales, I'm reminded of the importance of capturing the essence of a scene, both in its immediate visual appeal and its deeper color dynamics. From the initial block-in to the final details, my aim was to guide you in expressing movement and vibrancy through thoughtful brushwork and color choices. I hope you found joy in exploring how to convey the energy of the wind and the warmth of the landscape.

Throughout this lesson, we delved into the subtleties of brushwork and the impact it can have on the life of a painting. By preparing our canvas with care and sketching with precision, we laid a strong foundation for our creative expression. The choices we made in color mixing and shadow placement were all about enhancing the depth and interest of our composition. I trust that these techniques will empower you to create more dynamic and engaging paintings.

Remember, painting is as much about personal preference as it is about technique. Whether you choose to depict brown or green grass, or how you decide to balance light and shadow, these decisions are what make your artwork uniquely yours. I hope this lesson has inspired you to embrace your creative choices and continue to explore the endless possibilities of painting.

Points to remember
  • Capture the scene's essence with both immediate visual appeal and color dynamics.
  • Use brushwork to convey movement and guide the viewer's eye.
  • Prepare your canvas with gesso for better paint adhesion.
  • Sketch lightly with an HB pencil for accurate outlines.
  • Block in darks first to establish structure and contrast.
  • Mix vibrant shadow colors to add depth and warmth.
  • Use color variations to enhance composition interest.
  • Balance light and shadow to create dynamic compositions.