How to Draw Hay Bales in Pastel

Transfer the template to the pastel paper, and start by locating the white billows.  Then stroke in the shadows and the blue of the sky. Don’t try to blend them at this stage. Holding a print in the hand helps to keep everything in perspective.

Take a soft white pastel and start painting in the sunshine on the various billows. Remember to keep the edges fluffy.

Begin adding in the background trees. Keep them simple with no detail.

Block in the basic shapes of the trees. Don’t make them symmetrical – one side must be different to the other side.

We can now also start blocking in the cottage.

Using  a pastel pencil gives the impression of detail on the roof.

The distant mountains shown more clearly. Use a grey green for the grassy field and add more sunshine as you get closer to the edge of the road.

The shadow side of the tall grass on the edge of the pathway. Just give the impression of the grass.

Work on the trees.  The one on the left is in deep shade while the smaller tree catches the sunlight. Notice the use of tonal ranges to lift out each individual bough. Don’t try to paint the leaves.

Add the shadows and add a touch of green for contrast.

Block in the different field colours. Leave the gaps for the hay bales and the ruined post.

Paint the edging of the pathway. Show less detail towards the further end. Add a few flowers for interest.

We can now begin blocking in the hay bales.

Some highlights have been added. Darken up the shadows near the bottom of the bales.

Add the sunlight colour to the mountains.

Paint in the post and the weeds around it.