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 4Sketching Tips

What type of pencil should I use for sketching in this painting lesson?

For sketching in this painting lesson, you should use an HB pencil. It's important to sketch really lightly with it. If you want to explore more about the materials and techniques used in this lesson, visit the sales page at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How can I accurately draw ellipses for the hay bales?

To accurately draw ellipses for the hay bales, use a center line to help get the ellipse just right. Make sure the ellipse is cut off flat at the bottom since it's sitting in long grass. For more detailed guidance on sketching techniques, check out the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

Why should the bottom of the ellipse be flat when drawing hay bales?

The bottom of the ellipse should be flat when drawing hay bales because they are sitting in long grass. This helps to give a realistic appearance to the hay bales. For further insights into sketching and painting hay bales, visit the sales page at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How should I angle the lines when sketching the tower?

When sketching the tower, the line on the left should angle down to the left, and the line on the right should angle down to the right. This perspective helps to create an accurate representation of the tower. For more tips on perspective and sketching, see the full lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

Where should I place the tip of the roof when sketching?

The tip of the roof should be placed a little to the left of the corner of the building, as it's not actually in line with the corner. This placement helps maintain the correct perspective. To learn more about sketching buildings accurately, visit https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

How should I draw a distant hay bale to maintain perspective?

When drawing a distant hay bale, make sure it is really small to avoid making the buildings look small. This helps maintain the correct perspective in your painting. For additional tips on perspective in landscape painting, check out the lesson at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/59-Hay-Bales.

What can I do if I find the drawing part too tricky?

If you find the drawing part too tricky, you can print out the painting at the size you want and trace it onto your canvas. This can help you get started with the painting process. For more helpful techniques and tips, visit the sales page at 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.