plate no. 5862

A Gleamy Day in Picardy

Henry William Banks Davis, 1900

oilRomanticismanimal paintinglandscapehorsescattleskytreeshills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through color and value changes. They will also practice painting animal forms in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major landforms.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad washes of color, blending blues, whites, and grays.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape, using muted colors and soft edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Define the middle ground with more detail, including trees and fields.
step 05
Paint the foreground, adding detail to the grass and vegetation.
step 06
Sketch the horses and cattle, paying attention to their proportions and anatomy.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the animals to create form and dimension.
step 08
Refine details throughout the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Mix muted greens for the grass by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of blue. Achieve the atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques