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.

Step 28Final Highlights and Details

What is the process for painting the tree in this lesson?

The process for painting the tree involves multiple stages. First, you paint in the dark values, followed by the mid values, and then the light values. After that, you restate the darks and add some lights back in. This layered approach helps create depth and dimension in the tree. For more detailed guidance, you can visit the sales page at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How do you enhance the detail in the painting?

To enhance the detail in the painting, you can add small touches like a bit of wood to draw the viewer's eye to specific areas, such as a gap in the trees. This helps create focal points and adds interest to the composition. For more tips on adding details, check out the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What colors are used for the highlights in the tree?

For the highlights in the tree, slightly lighter and thicker paint is used to create contrast and bring out the details. This technique helps the tree stand out and adds a sense of realism. You can learn more about using highlights effectively by visiting the sales page at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How are the final highlights applied in the foreground?

The final highlights in the foreground are applied using really thick paint on the tops of some weeds or flowers. This technique adds texture and brightness to the painting, making the foreground elements pop. For more on applying final highlights, visit https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What color is used for the highlights in the shadowed areas?

In the shadowed areas, the highlights are a more blue-grey color. While still light, this color choice helps maintain the shadowed effect while adding subtle highlights. For further exploration of color choices in shadows, see the full lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What is the purpose of adding a touch of pink in the clouds?

Adding a touch of pink in the clouds introduces a hint of warmth and contrast, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the sky. This small color adjustment can make the sky appear more dynamic and interesting. For more on color techniques in skies, visit the sales page at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

← Step 27: Applying Broken Color

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.