plate no. 1328

Against the Sunset

Frederic Remington, 1906

oilImpressionismgenre paintinghorsecowboysunsetlandscapefiguregrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and capturing atmospheric perspective using a limited color palette. It also provides practice in creating dynamic movement with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the horse, rider, and landscape, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin, even layer of yellow, blending slightly darker tones towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the dark mass of the foreground vegetation using a mix of greens and browns.
step 04
Roughly define the form of the horse and rider with mid-tone browns and grays, paying attention to the silhouette.
step 05
Add highlights to the horse and rider to suggest the setting sun, using lighter shades of brown and yellow.
step 06
Refine the details of the vegetation with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the color and value.
step 07
Add final touches to the horse and rider, such as the reins and saddle, using darker tones for definition.
step 08
Soften edges and blend colors as needed to create a sense of atmosphere and unity.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw umber

secondary · sap green · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt umber to create the various shades of the sky. Combine raw umber and sap green for the vegetation, adjusting the ratio for lighter and darker areas. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques