plate no. 9086
A Dog and a Flock of Sheep
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and layering techniques to create depth. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures of foliage and animal fur.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, hills, building, and sheep.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the major color areas, starting with the sky and distant hills.
- step 04
Develop the foliage using layers of greens, browns, and yellows, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the building, focusing on accurate proportions and details.
- step 06
Add the sheep and figure, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create atmospheric depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve muted tones by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·turpentine
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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