plate no. 0836

A Ligurian Shepherdess

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurelandscapetreehillssheepvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective to depict distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the tree, figure, hills, and village.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant hills with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the tree and figure with darker values.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the foreground grass, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the tree, including leaves and branches, varying the color and value.
step 06
Refine the figure's form and clothing, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 07
Add details to the distant village, keeping it soft and indistinct.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by blending yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the reddish-brown tones by combining burnt umber and cadmium red. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze.

techniques